HC Deb 08 March 1995 vol 256 cc216-8W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee on what occasions over the past five years combined familiarisation drills and exercises have been held between the Palace of Westminster fire section, other security staff and the London fire brigade as part of incident pre-planning; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ray Powell

Detailed records of familiarisation visits by London fire brigade crews prior to 1993 are not held. Since January 1993 16 familiarisation visits have taken place. Large scale exercises involving the extensive deployment of crews, including a fire boat crew on one occasion, have taken place as follows2 October 1990 1 May 1993 1 May 1994 A further large scale exercise with the London brigade is planned for 14 May 1995.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what lessons have been drawn from the fires at Hampton Court palace, Windsor castle and Stormont in relation to minimising fire risk at(a) the Palace of Westminster and (b) other buildings in the parliamentary estate; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ray Powell

Following the publication of the guide to the protection of historic buildings "Heritage Under Fire" in 1990, which drew on the experience of a number of fires including the one at Hampton Court, a fire safety manager was appointed in 1992 to advise on all aspects of fire precautions and means of escape. The publication of a fire safety strategy for the Palace of Westminster and parliamentary outbuildings in 1993 and the establishment of a fire safety committee to review fire risk management and ensure the fire safety strategy is implemented are both in line with the recommendations of the report by Sir Alan Bailey, "Fire Protection Measures for the Royal Palaces", published in May 1993, following the fire at Windsor castle. It is understood that the report into the fire at Parliament buildings, Stormont, will be published in due course.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) if(a) the Palace of Westminster and (b) other buildings in the parliamentary estate reach the standard of fire safety which would be required for the issue of a fire certificate;

(2) if he will make an assessment of the fire risk of (a) the Palace of Westminster and (b) other buildings in the parliamentary estate.

Mr. Ray Powell

Home Office fire inspectors have recently assessed the fire risk of the Palace of Westminster and have recommended further measures to be taken. These are being progressed and it is expected that a fire certificate will be issued later this year. The fire risks of the parliamentary outbuildings have also been assessed and fire certificates have already been issued for Norman Shaw North, Norman Shaw South, 1 Canon row and 2 the Abbey garden. A fire certificate for 3 Dean's yard is expected shortly. Some additional works are being carried out in 7 Millbank and the phase 1 building and it is expected that fire certificates will be issued later this year.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what difficulties of access exist for the fire brigade and other emergency services in the event of fire in relation to(a) the Press Gallery area and (b) other areas presenting access difficulties.

Mr. Ray Powell

Vehicular access for fire brigade appliances into Speaker's Court and the inner courtyards has to be carefully managed because of the size of the archways. This has been tested on exercises held with the London fire brigade. There are no particular difficulties of access for fire brigade and emergency service personnel to the Press Gallery or other areas of the Palace of Westminster.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission (1) what changes in the number of fire officers within the Palace of Westminster's fire section were contained in the recommendation of the Metropolitan police internal reports into fire prevention that were prepared in February 1985 and December 1987.

(2) how many additional fire officer posts within the Palace of Westminster's fire section were recommended by the fire safety manager in 1992; what were the reasons or basis for his recommendations; and how many additional officers were subsequently appointed.

(3) if he will list the establishment of the Palace of Westminster's fire section for the last 10 years, indicating at each appropriate stage the size of the parliamentary estate over which their responsibility extended.

(4) what changes to the establishment, watch rotas, pay and conditions of service of the Palace of Westminster fire section are (a) under consideration or (b) subject to consultation with trade unions; and if he will make a statement.

(5) if he will make a statement about the role and functions of the members of the Palace of Westminster's fire section in the initial stages of any fire incident being reported.

Mr. Beith

Members of the Palace of Westminster fire section are civilian employees of the Metropolitan police subject to Metropolitan police terms and conditions of service. The role and responsibilities of the fire section are specified in the fire strategy for the Palace of Westminster and parliamentary outbuildings, which was approved by the relevant Committees of both Houses in 1993. A review of the fire section has recently been carried out by the staff inspector in conjunction with the staff inspector of the House of Lords and I have asked the Serjeant at Arms to write to the hon. Member about their recommendations.