HC Deb 01 December 1997 vol 302 cc56-7W
Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the(a) desirability and (b) practicality of making the installation of smoke alarms in domestic dwellings mandatory; [17645]

(2) what steps he is taking to encourage the installation of smoke alarms in domestic dwellings [17644]

Mr. George Howarth

The Government recognise the significant contribution made by smoke alarms to the protection of life and property. The installation of properly maintained smoke alarms in households has been the centrepiece of our efforts to reduce fire casulties for some time.

Since 1992, the Building Regulations require all new dwellings in England and Wales to have a smoke alarm system installed. For existing properties, the policy has been to ensure that people are aware of the potentially life saving benefits of smoke alarms; and to encourage them to install smoke alarms in their homes and maintain and test them regularly. These efforts, and those of brigades, increased ownership from 9 per cent. in 1987 to its present figure of 79 per cent.

Our efforts on fire prevention certainly need to be redoubled. In this respect, I welcome the report earlier this month to my right hon. Friend from the Community Fire Safety Task Force. The Task Force considered the mandatory installation of smoke alarms, but felt this would not be practicable. However, they argued for the refocusing of the fire service towards prevention and set ambitious targets for reducing the incidence of fires, deaths and casualties in the home.

There is clearly still more to be done to install smoke alarms in those households who are most vulnerable or at greatest risk of having a fire. The Task Force report identifies means of achieving this. We are consulting widely on their recommendations and in light of responses will decide on the way forward.