HC Deb 14 July 2003 vol 409 c66W
Matthew Taylor

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of all fires were started deliberately in each year since 1997. [125532]

Phil Hope

The information requested is shown in the following table:

Malicious primary fires as a proportion of all primary fires, United Kingdom, 1997–2001
All primary fires Malicious
Percentage Number
1997 200,564 41 82,613
1998 199,928 43 86,208
1999 218,404 47 103,006
2000 219,663 51 111,174
2001 228,229 54 123,184

Notes:

  1. 1. Malicious fires are those where deliberate ignition is proved or suspected.
  2. 2. Primary fires are those which cause damage to property or involve casualties.
  3. 3. Data for 2001 are provisional and the most recent year for which data are available.

Matthew Taylor

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of fires in the construction industry were attributed to arson in each year since 1997. [125742]

Phil Hope

The information requested is shown in the following table:

Malicious primary fires as a proportion of all primary fires on construction industry premises, United Kingdom, 1997–2001
All primary fires Malicious
Percentage Number
1997 459 57 261
1998 393 64 253
1999 386 57 222
2000 488 70 341
2001 372 73 270

Notes:

  1. 1. Malicious fires are those where deliberate ignition is proved or suspected.
  2. 2. Primary fires are those which cause damage to property or involve casualties.
  3. 3. Data for 2001 are provisional and the most recent year for which data are available.

Matthew Taylor

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much arson has cost retailers in each year since 1997. [125764]

Phil Hope

Information is available only for total commercial fires which includes fires in retail and non-retail premises. Information is available only for 1999 and 2000; that for 2001 will be published in due course.

In England and Wales, the estimated cost of arson to the commercial sector, as measured by damage to property and loss of business, was £220 million in 1999 and £190 million in 2000.