§ Tom CoxTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department is taking to ensure conformity of requirements for fire safety under the Building Regulations 2000 and crime prevention measures introduced into the Building Act 1984 by the Su#tainable and Secure Buildings Bill. [186791]
§ Phil HopeIt is anticipated that the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Bill will receive Royal Assent during September. It will provide an opportunity for Building Regulations to make a fuller contribution to government policies on sustainability and crime prevention. The regulations and guidance needed to implement the powers given by the Bill have not yet been drafted. When doing so, officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will identify the issues that are 1161W amenable to control through the Building Regulations and seek the advice of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee and key stakeholders. The proposals will be subject to Regulatory Impact Assessment and public consultation in the usual way.
§ Tom CoxTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether fire safety requirements for occupants' means of escape and emergency access for the fire and rescue service in the current Building Regulations will take precedence over requirements for crime prevention measures due to be introduced into the Building Act 1984 and the Building Regulations by the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Bill. [186793]
§ Phil HopeSecurity and means of escape and emergency access are important to life safety. However, the practical requirements can conflict if not considered holistically. When new Building Regulations and guidance are drafted for Security, officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will take advice from the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, key stakeholders and other experts, to ensure a sensible and safe balance is achieved. The proposals will be subject to Regulatory Impact Assessment and public consultation in the usual way.
§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what studies he has undertaken regarding the energy losses occurring in public and private heated swimming pool shells in advance of his forthcoming consultation document on improving the building regulations concerning the conservation of fuel and power. [187385]
§ Phil HopeProposals for amending the Building Regulations energy provisions next summer were published on 21 July 2004. The consultation document indicates that whilst initial studies have shown significant benefits could accrue from defining standards for pools, more investigations are needed to establish the costs and benefits on a national scale, and whether regulating would be cost-effective and proportionate. It will be impossible to complete the investigations in time to influence 'his amendment but it will be taken into account next time.
Name Number of rooms for smoking Number of rooms for Worship Number of rooms for Nursing mothers and pregnant women
26 Whitehall—London 1—Shared with OGD 1—Shared with OGD 1—Shared with OGD Ashdown House—London 1—Shared with OGDs 1—Shared with OGDs 1—Shared with OGDs Eland House—London 1 1 1 Portland House—London 0 1—Meeting room 1—First aid room. Exchange Tower—London 2—Shared with OGD 0—(under discussion with OGD) 1—First aid room—Shared with OGD Ashdown House—Hastings 3—Shared with OGDs 1—"Drop in" room available—shared with OGDs 2-1 "Drop in" room and 1 Medical rooms can be used—shared with OGDs Hempstead House—Hemel Hempstead 1—Shared with OGD 1—Room available on request 0 Fire Experimental Unit—Moreton-in-Marsh 0 0 0 Fire Service College—Moreton-in-Marsh 0 1—Muslim Prayer Room 1—multi-denominational chapel 1 Fire Statistics and Research Division—BRE Garston 0 1—Room available on request 1—Room available on request Housing Care and Support Division—Glossop 0 1—Quiet room available on request 1—Quiet room available on request Emergency Fire Service—Marchington 1—External Smoking Shelter 0 1—First aid room. Temple Quay House—Bristol 1 0 0 QEII Conference Centre—London 1 1—private room available on staff 1—private room available on staff