§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken or proposes to take to establish the effectiveness of fire safety arrangements in schools.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthTo ensure the safety of occupants of schools in the event of fire, the statutory provisions, and guidance regularly issued in support of them, emphasise the importance of maintaining adequate means of escape. The day to day responsibility for properly maintaining safety rests locally, but the Department issues guidance such as Building Bulletin 7 "Fire and the Design of Education Buildings" and "Safety in Education" Bulletin No. 5.