§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when section 3 of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 will be enacted; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThere are no plans to bring section 3 of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 into force.
Private living accommodation is a matter best left to local housing authorities. They have a duty at least once a year to consider the housing conditions in their district with a view to determining what action to take in performance of their functions.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to protect elderly persons from fire risks.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Home Office provides specific advice on fire safety for elderly people in the form of written and video material. That material provides general guidance on fire prevention and fire safety measures in the home and is targeted to the elderly age group.
In addition, the Home Office targeted its 1990–91 national television advertising campaign on smoke alarms at the elderly. The main target group for the 1991–92 campaign will again be the elderly.
There is legislation in place in respect of types of accommodation housing elderly people which, among other things, makes provision for fire precautions. Such legislation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.