HC Deb 07 July 1994 vol 246 c321W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the views of the fire service branch, Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland), will be sought and taken into account during the present cross-Department review of fire safety legislation and its enforcement within the United Kingdom.

Mr. Tim Smith

Copies of the report of the scrutiny of fire safety legislation and enforcement have been sent to the Department for comment and for circulation to other interested bodies. Any comments submitted to the review team will be considered by Ministers when the consultation period has ended.

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the final decision on changes to fire safety legislation and its enforcement in Northern Ireland, following the current cross-Department review, will rest with Parliament.

Mr. Tim Smith

Full implementation of the recommendations in the report of the scrutiny of fire safety legislation and enforcement would require changes to both primary and subordinate legislation. Changes to primary legislation would require an Order-in-Council. Changes to subordinate legislation while subject to consultation, could be introduced without debate. However, no decisions on implementation will be made before consultation on the report ends on 31 October 1994.

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