§ Mr. Ken HargreavesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans there are to ensure that the building regulations in respect of fire, when modified, for England and Wales will be consistent with those related to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. YeoWhen decisions are taken on the proposals for amendments to part B of the Building Regulations 1985 relating to safety in fire, and to the related practical guidance, the desirability of greater technical consistency between the Building Regulations for England and Wales, and those for Scotland and Northern Ireland, will be an important consideration. At the same time, full weight will also be given to the undertaking in the White Paper "Lifting the Burden" that the Government will examine carefully the possibilities of reducing the level of regulation in this area, where this would not lead to increased risk to personal safety.