§ Mr. Michael J. MartinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make it his policy not to amend the building standards for Scotland to include a trade-off between fire resistance periods and the installation of sprinklers until there is evidence to show that fire safety will not be jeopardised;
(2) if he will make it his policy not to alter the building regulations for Scotland in respect of fire resistance periods and structural non-combustibility to conform with the England and Wales building regulations until his experts have had the opportunity to assess the impact in practice of those regulations.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations are regularly reviewed to take account of changing circumstances and legislation consequent upon European Community directives. Any proposed amendments are first considered by the Building Standards Advisory Committee before going out for consultation with relevant interested bodies. No amendments will be made therefore until there has been the opportunity for all shades of opinion to be taken fully into account.