§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had about the inhibition of social functions in village halls by the administration of fire regulations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenNone. No fire regulations apply specifically to village halls, but public music and dancing and similar entertainments cannot be provided except in474W accordance with the terms of a licence granted by the district council under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 or in Greater London by the London borough council under the London Government Act 1963. The purpose of this licensing system is to ensure, among other things, that places used for entertainment—and this includes village halls—have adequate safety standards.
The fire authority's role is to advise the licensing authority on the requirements that it considers necessary for the premises, in relation to the event in question.
Guidance on fire safety matters in smaller premises, including village halls, is included within the Home Department's publication "Guide to Fire Precautions in Existing Places of Entertainment and Like Premises". Chapter 12, which includes a section on village halls, was drawn up in consultation with the Village Halls Forum, a group formed from representatives from village hall committees and organisations concerned with village halls.