§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many fires there have been in schools in each of the last three years. [123312]
§ Mr. MilibandThe Department does not collect these figures.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools have had to close for a period of time owing to fire in each of the last three years. [123313]
§ Mr. MilibandThe Department does not have this information. However, the issue of fire safety is of primary importance.
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 risks of both accidental and malicious fires occurring, and advises on how to identify hazards and carry out risk assessments. It also gives advice on training and on fire detection and alarm systems.
In addition, officials from the Department sit on the Arson in Schools Working Group, a group of experts representing the insurance industry, the fire and police services, local authorities and Government Departments. The group exists to research and promote ways of reducing malicious fires in schools. 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 schools in the UK.