§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department first announced that a code of guidance setting out a national advisory standard for means of escape in houses in multiple occupation was being prepared; when he most recently published "A Draft Guide to Means of Escape in Certain Houses in Multiple Occupation"; to what proportion of houses in multiple occupation that guide would apply; and when he intends to issue a national advisory standard on means of escape for all houses in multiple occupation.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggPreparation of the code was announced by the then Home Secretary on a written answer on 17 December 1980. A draft version of the guide, on which comments were invited, was published on 27 February 1986. It is estimated that the guide could be applied to around 60 per cent. of houses in multiple occupation in England and Wales. We are at present reviewing the scope and the content of the draft in the light of comments received and hope to issue a revised version later this year. Further consideration will then be given to the need for guidance on other types of HMOs not covered by the draft guide or existing guides.