§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average cost of a domestic fire was in each year since 1997. [125203]
§ Phil HopeInformation on the cost of a domestic fire is not available before 1999. The estimated average cost of a domestic fire in 1999 was £21,500 and in 2000 it was £24,700. Some of the difference between these figures is due to changes in the way that costs are calculated: using the 1999 methodology, the estimated cost of a domestic fire in 2000 is £23,800.
2000 is the last year for which figures are available; those for 2001 will be published in due course.
§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people have died as a result of malicious car fires in each year since 1997. [125204]
§ Phil HopeThe information requested is tabled. 2001 is the most recent year for which data are available.
Fatalities from malicious car fires, United Kingdom, 1997–2001 Number 1997 20 1998 19 1999 19 2000 21 20011 12 1 Figures for 2001 are provisional.
§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of accidental car fires were caused by an electrical fault in the last year for which figures are available. [125206]
§ Phil HopeIn 2001, of 18,135 accidental car fires in the United Kingdom, 47 per cent. (8,494 fires) were caused by an electrical fault, related either to the wiring on the car or its batteries (7,540 fires) or due to the ignition system (954 fires).