§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effectiveness of sprinklers and other fire protection measures in (i) hospitals and (ii) homes for the elderly. [9478]
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§ Mr. Clappison[holding answer 15 January 1996]: My Department has commissioned a number of studies from the Building Research Establishment on sprinklers and other fire protection measures in connection with hospitals and residential care establishments, including old people's homes. Reports are evaluated by my officials, who make recommendations to Ministers on the work's significance and any practical implications, for example for building regulations, flowing from it.
I am sending the hon. Gentleman a list of these studies, some of which have been published.