§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Paisley, south, (Mr. McMaster) on 19 January,Official Report,column 238,if he will bring forward regulations to require smoke alarms to be fitted to existing dwellings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 30 March 1993]: Under the Building (Scotland) Act 1959, building control operates on the principle that a warrant must be obtained before work is carried out. The Building Standards Regulations and the technical standards which support them cannot therefore be applied retrospectively. Under amendments to the regulations and standards which my right hon. Friend intends shortly to lay before Parliament the fitting of mains-operated smoke alarms will become compulsory in all new dwellings.