§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of Her Majesty's inspectorate of the fire service in respect of the development of fire-related European standards and methods for building products; how many offices are at present involved in this test work; and at what level. [5579]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe role of Her Majesty's fire service inspectorate in respect of the development of fire-related European standards and test methods for building products is to provide technical advice to the fire safety unit of the fire and emergency planning directorate of the Home office. In addition, some inspectors make technical representation on behalf of the Department at relevant European standards meetings.
Currently, there are three grade 2 inspectors and one assistant inspector, grade 1, who attend appropriate European standards committees on behalf of the Department.
The fire service inspectorate also liaises with other Government Department representatives in relation to European technical committees dealing with fire matters which fall outside the policy responsibility of the FEPD.