Written question asked by Lord Harrison (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Hanham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 November 2011.

Housing: Fire Safety

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 16 November (WA 157), other than promoting the importance of a working smoke alarm, what action they are taking to improve fire safety in (1) privately owned housing, and (2) social housing.

Answer: I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave to Lord Kennedy of Southwark on 16 December (WA 157). Working smoke alarm ownership remains at the heart of our efforts to reduce accidental fire deaths and injuries in the home. During 2011-12, we will continue to promote the key message to householders of having a working smoke alarm in their home, through the Fire Kills campaign. Furthermore, the UK Government welcome the referencing of the new safety standard for cigarettes which was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 17 November 2011. Based on DCLG research, we calculate that the impact of cigarettes that comply with this standard (in England) will save between 25-64 lives per year.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 13646; 733 c49WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Fire Safety
Monday, 23 January 2012
Written questions
House of Lords; Housing: Fire Safety
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Housing Fire prevention
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk