§ Mr. Michael J. MartinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his Department's proposals to reduce the amount of fire-resistant materials in new buildings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoThe consultation paper on proposed amendments to part B, "Safety in Fire", of the Buildings Regulations 1985 includes proposals to reduce periods of fire resistance in some situations, particularly when active fire prevention measures such as sprinklers are also being provided. Comments on these proposals are currently being considered by the fire advisory panel and the Building Regulations Advisory Committee but there are some difficult issues involved and their final advice is unlikely to be available before the summer.