HC Deb 17 December 1992 vol 216 cc503-4W
Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to review the membership of the Fire Advisory Panel in order to include greater representation from fire brigade officers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Baldry

The Fire Advisory Panel members who have fire service experience provide valuable input to the discussions, but I see no need to add more fire brigade officers to the panel.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the criteria used to appoint members of the Fire Advisory Panel.

Mr. Baldry

Members of the Fire Advisory Panel are chosen for their expertise in areas relevant to the scope of those aspects of fire safety most closely concerning the building regulations.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the current members of the Fire Advisory Panel and indicate whether each member has served or currently serves as a member or officer of the Society of Fire Safety Engineers, or has had or currently has experience as a professional firefighter.

Mr. Baldry

The current members of the Fire Advisory Panel are:

Dr. E. Marchant, Mr. R. Read, Mr. S. Ham, Mr. L. Davies, Mr. A. Morris, Dr. P. Warren, Mr. T. Ashton, Mr. D. Wright, Mr. P. Dalloway, Mr. F. Hoehnke, Mr. D. O'Brien, Dr. S. Melinek, Miss N. Bovill, Mr. A. Porter, Mr. T. Shields, Mr. W. Malhotra, Mr. A. Ferguson (chairman), Mr. I. Macpherson, Mr. A. Edwards, Dr. J. Denney, Mr. L. Turner, Dr. G. Cooke, Dr. P. Beaver, Mr. R. Graham, Mr. D. Stewart, Dr. A. Macpherson, Mrs. B. Menzies.

Two of these members, Mr. Wright and Mr. Graham, have professional firefighting experience. I understand that the Society of Fire Safety Engineers amalgamated with the Society of Fire Protection Engineers to form the Institute of Fire Safety—IFS. The Department has not asked members whether they are affiliated to the IFS, but I understand that nine of them are.