Crown Premises (Fire Certificates)

HC Deb 11 July 1997 vol 297 cc628-9W

Ms Rosie Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Crown premises have fire certificates. [8635]

Majorie Mowlam

Following acceptance of Sir Reginald Doyle's Report into the fire at Parliament Buildings, a 2 year target was set for complete certification coverage of the Northern Ireland Government Estate.

As at 11 June 1997 there are 239 certifiable premises.

Certificates have been issued in respect of 200. In a further 6 buildings, only parts of which are occupied by the Crown, all necessary work in the Crown portion has been completed to the satisfaction of the certifying authority. Certificates will be issued once landlords have completed the necessary work in their portions.

Fire safety measures are ongoing at 12 buildings, including some where the work forms part of a major repair and refurbishment scheme.

In a further 15 cases the implementation of the work has been deferred because of significant operational requirements or imminent vacation of the premises.

There are six certifiable buildings recently added to the database. Measures are in hand to have these premises inspected and any work for fire certification purposes implemented as soon as possible.