§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the organisations and individuals who have submitted evidence to the interdepartmental fire safety scrutiny initiative; and if he will make a statement on the timetable for the review.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonThe team conducting the review of fire safety legislation and enforcement has consulted widely among more than 100 organisations with a known interest in the subject. These have included, inter alia, 435W representatives of fire service bodies, the insurance industry, fire and other safety organisations, the Confederation of British Industry and groups representing small businesses, organisations representing retail, manufacturing and other business interests, consumer bodies, organisations representing property interests, fire equipment manufacturers, groups representing the disabled, local authorities, unions, the construction industry, surveyors, building control officers, architects and planners.
Many such organisations have responded by supplying written evidence and some have also met the review team. Evidence has also been received from a number of individuals interested in this important matter.
The review team are still receiving representations. They will include the final list of all those who submitted evidence in their report to Ministers which is due before the end of May. We will then need to consider their recommendations and any changes that they may propose. The Government are committed to consulting all interested parties before making any legislative changes.