HC Deb 13 January 1995 vol 252 cc235-6W
Mr. Peter Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) who is responsible for fire protection measures at Parliament buildings, Belfast;

(2) if he will order an independent and thorough inquiry into the fire at Parliament buildings, Belfast, on Monday 2 January and the relevant events surrounding it; and if he will open the inquiry to the public and release the findings

(3) what fire sprinkler system was installed and operating in Parliament buildings, Belfast prior to Monday 2 January;

(4) what means were being relied upon to give early warning of a fire at Parliament buildings, Belfast on the morning of Monday 2 January;

(5) what assessment he has made of the suitability for the use or purpose for which they are provided of all Crown buildings which are his responsibility taking account of the means of escape in case of fire, the means of fighting fire and the means of providing warning in case of fire;

(6) what staff were present and at what times within Parliament buildings, Belfast over the Christmas 1994 and new year 1995 holidays;

(7) when Parliament buildings, Belfast was last evacuated as part of a fire drill;

(8) if he will review the Fire Service Northern Ireland Order 1984 with respect to Crown buildings to require them to apply for a fire certificate;

(9) what heat detection system was installed and operating in Parliament buildings, Belfast prior to Monday 2 January;

(10) if any early warning fire detection system incorporated in the refurbishment tender includes a link to a post outside Parliament buildings, Belfast, to cover times when the building is vacant;

(11) if there was a fire log book held for Parliament buildings, Belfast as required for certified buildings under the Fire Services Northern Ireland Order 1984;

(12) when engineers last tested the capacity of the water supply to meet demand for fire emergencies at Parliament buildings, Belfast;

(13) if he will order an independent and thorough inquiry into the operation of the fire section of the Department responsible for the safety of public buildings in Northern Ireland and if he will open such an inquiry to the public and release the findings;

(14) what smoke detection system was installed and operating in Parliament buildings, Belfast prior to Monday 2 January;

(15) what early fire warning device is to be installed in Parliament buildings, Belfast under the present renovations; and when his element was included in the contract;

(16) if there is a current fire certificate with respect to Parliament buildings, Belfast;

(17) when the last Fire Brigade trial run at Parliament buildings, Belfast was made to familiarise fire crews of the layout of the building and to ascertain what hazards might be encountered;

(18) if he expects an application to be submitted for a fire certificate as referred to in the Fire Service Northern Ireland Order 1984 in respect of Parliament buildings, Belfast, after the present renovations and repairs are completed.

Mr. Moss

My right hon. and learned Friend has already announced that he has asked Sir Reginald Doyle, a former HM chief inspector of fire services in Great Britain to conduct an inquiry into the fire at Parliament buildings on 2 January 1995.

Sir Reginald will examine the fire safety precautions and the fire fighting arrangements for Parliament buildings and make recommendations to the Secretary of State, both in relation to Parliament buildings itself and any consequential implications for other Crown buildings in Northern Ireland. It is intended to publish the report in due course. The matters referred to will be considered by Sir Reginald as part of his inquiry.