HC Deb 06 May 1999 vol 330 c463W
Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress on the establishment of a Fire Safety Commission. [83245]

Mr. George Howarth

The Fire Brigades Union discussion document, Safety in Partnership, which sets out proposals for a strategic forum to consider fire safety matters will be considered by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council at its meeting on 18 May. I have already made it clear that the concepts of developing policies around shared goals, making sure those policies are inclusive, involving those outside government and becoming more forward and outward looking are absolutely right. This approach also ties in with the Better Regulation Task Force's recent review of enforcement, which suggested that fire safety initiatives should be coordinated by a national forum representing government regulators and stakeholders.

Forward to