§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the Arson Prevention Bureau; and what success has been achieved in the improved protection of premises, especially school buildings, countering fraudulent arson and improvements in the methods of fire investigations.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe Arson Prevention Bureau, which is jointly funded by the Home Office and the Association of British Insurers, was officially launched in February 1991. The bureau provides the first concerted approach to combating the crime of arson. A research project has been completed on the protection of property against arson and further projects on arson for insurance fraud purposes, and arson in schools are under way. It is hoped as a result of the latter project to be able to recommend a package of measures which will lead to a reduction in the heavy incidence of school arson.
The Arson Prevention Bureau has recently published its first annual review, and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.