§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his definition of a private club; and how many private clubs are operating in each standard region of England.
§ Mr. MacleanThe term "private club" has no particular legal significance. It could be applied to a wide range of associations and establishments, such as political clubs, sports clubs and philatelist clubs. There is no requirement for private clubs to be registered as such, and the Government have no information as to their numbers.
§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review present legislation governing inspection and enforcement of fire regulations at private clubs; and what assessment he has made of the changes necessary as a result of the recent tragedy in London.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe fire safety scrutiny set up by the Government, which began its work on 17 January 1994, is looking at the operation and effectiveness of all legislation dealing with fire safety, and with the organisational arrangements of all bodies responsible for enforcing it.
Any decision about the need for changes to the legislation must await the outcome of that scrutiny and of the inquiries which are currently being conducted into the tragic fire at the Dream City Club.