Arson (Hansard, 18 June 2003)

§ Mr. Damian Green
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost was of damage to school premises from malicious fires in each year since 1997(a) in England and (b) by LEA. [119433]

§ Mr. Miliband
The Department does not collect these figures.

§ Mr. Damian Green
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what targets his Department has set in relation to malicious fires on school premises. [119436]

§ Mr. Miliband
The Department does not set targets for malicious fires, but we take very seriously the threat that arson poses to some schools. 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

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

Private sector partners Opening dates Number of pupils and age range Capital costs from the public purse (£million) Revenue Funding 2003–04 (£ thousand)

Barnet Peter Shalson 2004 1,425 11–18 22 ¹ 900

Bexley Sir David Garrard 2002 1,400 11–18 25.75 4,232,598

Bradford To he confirmed 2005 2,000 11–18 ² 19.5 ¹ 250

Brent Sir Frank Lowe John Laycock, University of the 2003 1,200 11–18 21.4 4,419,823

Bristol West of England and others Lord Harris of Peckham and the 2003 1,236 11–18 21.87 5,437,152

Croydon Whitgift Foundation 2005/06 1,300 11–18 17.87 ¹ 250

302W
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.

(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)
	Private sector partners	Opening dates	Number of pupils and age range	Capital costs from the public purse (£million)	Revenue Funding 2003–04 (£ thousand)
Barnet	Peter Shalson	2004	1,425 11–18	22	¹ 900
Bexley	Sir David Garrard	2002	1,400 11–18	25.75	4,232,598
Bradford	To he confirmed	2005	2,000 11–18	² 19.5	¹ 250
Brent	Sir Frank Lowe John Laycock, University of the	2003	1,200 11–18	21.4	4,419,823
Bristol	West of England and others Lord Harris of Peckham and the	2003	1,236 11–18	21.87	5,437,152
Croydon	Whitgift Foundation	2005/06	1,300 11–18	17.87	¹ 250