§ Mr. AllenTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed answering on behalf of the House of Commons Commission (1) on what dates fire drills have been held in the House since 1979;
(2) what procedures are followed in the House's fire drills;
(3) when a fire drill last took place in which (a) hon. and right hon. Members, (b) staff and (c) hon. and right hon. Members and staff were evacuated from the House.
§ Mr. BeithSince 1979 fire exercises have been held as follows:
16 December 1980 House of Commons 17 September 1981 Underground Car Park 22 July 1982 Norman Shaw North 4 August 1982 Underground Car Park 25 April 1983 House of Commons 10 April 1984 3 Dean's Yard 11 December 1984 House of Commons 20 May 1985 St. Stephen's House 27 November 1985 Norman Shaw South 1 July 1986 2 The Abbey Garden 3 June I987 St.Stephen's House 3 December 1987 House of Commons Zone 4 7 October 1988 House of Commons Zone 7 8 December 1988 Norman Shaw North 7 January 1989 7 Old Palace Yard 16 February 1989 3 Dean's Yard The normal procedure is for the fire alarm to be activated and for all occupants of the premises, including both Members and staff, to evacuate the zone or building to a predetermined assembly point. These exercises are supervised by the fire officer and the London fire brigade has participated on a number of occasions. Plans to increase the frequency of fire exercises are already in hand.