§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had from the Fire Service concerning his proposals on fire safety requests; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe review of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 was referred to in terms of reference of the current inter-departmental scrutiny on fire safety enforcement. Publication of the report of the review was intended to inform public debate on the options available and facilitate responses to the enforcement scrutiny. Interested parties have been sent copies of the report and I understand that a number of representations have been made by the Fire Service to the scrutiny team.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future responsibility of the Fire Service for all aspects of fire safety in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe fire safety enforcement scrutiny which began on 17 January is reviewing the operation and effectiveness of all fire safety legislation for which the Home Office, Department of the Environment and Health and Safety Executive have policy responsibility. The scrutiny is also examining the organisational arrangements of all bodies and agencies responsible for enforcing such legislation. Any decision about the need for changes to the legislation and those responsible for enforcing it must await the outcome of that scrutiny.
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§ Ms ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Fire Service spent on information technology and communications in 1992–93 and 1993–94, by authority; and what are the spending plans for 1994–95.
§ Mr. Charles WardleExpenditure on information technology and communications is a matter for individual authorities and detailed information is not held centrally.