§ Dr. GlynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what action he is taking with the Bulgarian Government to inquire into the fire precautions in the Hotel Moussala following the fire of 22 February; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what action he is taking as the result of the fire which occurred on 22 February at the Hotel Moussala in the resort of Borovets, Bulgaria, to inquire into the minimum fire standards required by tour operators in hotels into which they book their clients overseas.
§ Mr. EggarThe Bulgarian Government have appointed a special commission to investigate the fire. A report should issue within 60 days of the event.
Her Majesty's embassy in Sofia has requested a copy of the report, and has sought the assurance of the Bulgarian Government that any recommendations for improvements to safety procedures will be implemented without delay.
The consular department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office raised the matter at a meeting with the tour operators study group (TOSG) on 15 March 1988. The TOSG informed officials that they had sent a message to some 50 Governments, including the Bulgarian Government, seeking an assurance that local fire safety regulations will be fully implemented.