§ Mr. FitzpatrickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce the proposed new fire safety legislation following the publication of the 1996 fire statistics; and if he will specify a timetable for its introduction. [40204]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe 1996 fire statistics reveal a worrying continuation of the upward trend in fires, deaths and casualties in the home. Most of these fires are accidental and should be prevented. That is why the Government and the fire service recognise the urgent need to refocus on fire prevention. We announced our new strategy to reverse the upward trend in domestic fires, deaths and injuries in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble), on 7 April 1998,Official Report, column 177. We accepted, with the strong endorsement of the fire service, the recommendation of the Community Fire Safety Task Force that community fire safety should be made a statutory duty of the fire service. We are currently considering the precise terms and nature of such a duty.
In reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell), on 8 April 1998, Official Report, column 254, we also announced that we have decided to proceed with a thorough overhaul of fire safety legislation, although some difficult areas, such as houses in multiple occupation and licensed premises, require more detailed discussion. We will now work up the detail of the proposals in close co-operation with interested parties. Subject to clear evidence of the cost effectiveness of the proposals, we aim to legislate as soon as practicable.