HC Deb 20 January 2003 vol 398 cc159-60W
Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had over the past year on measures to reduce arson attacks on schools; and if he will make a statement. [91310]

Mr. Miliband

Officials from this Department sit on the Arson in Schools Working Group. This comprises experts representing the insurance industry, the fire and police services, local authorities and Government Departments. The group meets regularly to review new data on school fires and advises on ways of reducing the risks of arson in schools through seminars and publications. One of its outputs has been the publication of the guide "How to Combat Arson in Schools", copies of which have been sent to all maintained schools in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had on measures to mitigate the effects of fires in schools; and if he will make a statement. [91311]

Mr. Miliband

If a fire should happen in a school, the Department's primary concern is for the safety of pupils, teachers and other users. Regulation 17 of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 requires that every part of a school building, and of the land provided for a school, shall be such that the safe escape of the occupants in case of fire is reasonably assured. Schools are also covered by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and by subsequent related regulations. These include aspects of fire safety.

To help schools manage fire safety, the Department published Managing School Facilities Guide 6, "Fire Safety", in 2000. This offers guidance on how to minimise the risk of fire, including identifying hazards and carrying out risk assessments. It also gives advice on training and on fire detection and alarm systems.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has for(a) issuing guidance and (b) making it a statutory obligation that newly built schools should have fire sprinklers installed. [91313]

Mr. Miliband

Since April 2001, all new construction work at schools has been subject to approval under the Building Regulations. Projects will not be approved unless they are designed in accordance with the 2000 edition of Approved Document B (Fire Safety), which accompanies the regulations. The Building Regulations do not require the installation of fire sprinkler systems in new school accommodation and the Department does not intend to seek such a change.

The Department's guide "Fire Safety" includes information on fire sprinklers. It states that, though expensive to install, their use may be worthwhile in schools where the risk of arson is high. In these circumstances sprinkler systems can help minimise the loss of valuable course work and teaching materials through fire, and prevent major disruption to the life of a school.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what was the estimated cost of arson attacks in schools in each of the past five years. [91314]

Mr. Miliband

The Department does not collect these figures.