§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates in the past 10 years when the Palace of Westminster and parliamentary outbuildings have been inspected for compliance with the fire safety regulations and standards which apply; if he will give details of all fire safety regulations and standards which apply; if he will list those areas where the inspections have found non-compliance with the relevant requirements; and what steps he has taken to rectify the situation in those areas.
§ Mr. Charles WardleDuring the past 10 years, members of Her Majesty's fire service inspectorate have visited the Palace of Westminster on nine scheduled occasions to monitor the progress of an agreed programme of work necessary before the issue of a fire certificate under the Fire Precautions Act 1971.
These visits were in:
- November 1983
- October 1984
- April 1987
- January 1988
- July 1989
- January 1990
- February 1990
- January 1991
- February 1991
Numerous other visits have been made to address specific points and the work should be complete in 1994.
There are nine parliamentary outbuildings which are dealt with individually for the purpose of fire certification. Some hold certificates, and some have applications under consideration. I will write to the hon. Member with full details.