Ministerial statement on Thursday, 22 June 2017, in the House of Commons, led by Baroness May of Maidenhead.

Grenfell Tower

Statement on the disaster at Grenfell Tower.

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 626 cc165-194
Session: 2017-19
Department: Prime Minister
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2017-0395
Wednesday, 28 June 2017
Deposited papers
House of Lords; Emergencies: Risk Assessment
Monday, 24 July 2017
Written questions
House of Commons
Proceeding contributions: Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 cc166-170 (Link to this contribution)
With permission, Mr Speaker, I will make a statement on the disaster at Grenfell Tower. I apologi...; Jeremy Corbyn | 626 cc169-172 (Link to this contribution)
I acknowledge the Prime Minister’s apologies for the very late arrival of her statement to my off...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 cc172-3 (Link to this contribution)
May I first join the Leader of the Opposition in commending the work of his new hon. Friend, the ...; 626 c173 (Link to this contribution); John Bercow | 626 c173 (Link to this contribution)
I am keen to accommodate the level of interest in this extraordinarily important and grave subjec...; Iain Duncan Smith | 626 c173 (Link to this contribution)
I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement and the actions she said that she and the Government wil...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c173 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his remarks. He suggests that the inquiry should go a g...; Ian Blackford | 626 c174 (Link to this contribution)
All of us in the House and, I am sure, throughout the entire United Kingdom, welcome the opportun...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 cc174-5 (Link to this contribution)
I take this opportunity to make clear that the testing facilities that I referred to are open to ...; Theresa Villiers | 626 c175 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister encourage local authorities to follow the lead that Barnet Council showed...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c175 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my right hon. Friend for drawing that to the House’s attention and I commend Barnet Counc...; Emma Dent Coad | 626 c175 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Prime Minister for her kind words—words that must be followed by deeds. I speak on be...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c175 (Link to this contribution)
When I spoke to the emergency services on my first visit to Kensington, one of the challenges I g...; John Bercow | 626 c176 (Link to this contribution)
Perhaps I may be the first person publicly to congratulate the hon. Member for Kensington (Emma D...; Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park | 626 c176 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Prime Minister for her statement and the reassurance that she has provided. I also ta...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c176 (Link to this contribution)
I fully recognise the picture that my hon. Friend set out about the inquiry. That is why it is im...; Baroness Harman | 626 cc176-7 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Prime Minister for her statement. The news she has given the House today—that the cla...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c177 (Link to this contribution)
First, let me clarify what I said in my statement. I said that local authorities had been invited...; Richard Bacon | 626 c177 (Link to this contribution)
In recent years, London has seen many high-quality high rises being built, often financed with ho...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c177 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend raises an interesting point. During his time in the House, he has taken a long int...; Jim Fitzpatrick | 626 c178 (Link to this contribution)
If the building regulations are fit for purpose, all of us, whether rich or poor, should be prote...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c178 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman, given his background, has a particular interest in these issues. The coroner’...; Cheryl Gillan | 626 c178 (Link to this contribution)
The amount of remedial work that may need to be carried out on a limited timescale will possibly ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c178 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend raises an important point. We need to ensure that the resources are there in...; David Lammy | 626 c178 (Link to this contribution)
All Members, across the House, will have mentored and employed young people and want to see them ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 cc178-9 (Link to this contribution)
May I first say how sorry I am to hear that the right hon. Gentleman lost a friend in this terrib...; Kevin Hollinrake | 626 c179 (Link to this contribution)
I attended an understandably heated group discussion with local residents in the shadow of Grenfe...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c179 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend has rightly identified the recommendation that the coroner made, which was that en...; Tom Brake | 626 c179 (Link to this contribution)
I should like to express my condolences and that of my party to those affected by this disaster, ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c180 (Link to this contribution)
The building regulations set out the materials that are compliant and those that are non-complian...; Geoffrey Clifton-Brown | 626 c180 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend might be interested to know that I spent about three hours on Monday quietly...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c180 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for the work he has done and the feedback he has provided to Ministers fol...; Hilary Benn | 626 c180 (Link to this contribution)
While many of the questions that those affected by this disaster want answers to will have to awa...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c181 (Link to this contribution)
My understanding is that the fire service and BRE, which was on the scene early to look at that i...; Anne-Marie Trevelyan | 626 c181 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend confirm whether the firefighters who attended this harrowing scene, and...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c181 (Link to this contribution)
Yes. My hon. Friend raises an important issue, which the Leader of the Opposition also touched on...; Yvette Cooper | 626 c181 (Link to this contribution)
Further to the question of my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn), the c...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c181 (Link to this contribution)
I will add to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn), and I a...; James Cleverly | 626 c181 (Link to this contribution)
The London Resilience Forum has a number of multi-agency plans for things such as mass shelter, m...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c181 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He obviously has experience from when he was on the Lond...; Fiona Onasanya | 626 c182 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister please confirm when the judge will be appointed? Following the comments f...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c182 (Link to this contribution)
As I have said, the material is being tested. The results of those tests will be—[Interruption.] ...; Chris Philp | 626 c182 (Link to this contribution)
I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to the publication of an early interim report. After th...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c182 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for that. It was very important that interim reports came out quickly in r...; Liz Saville Roberts | 626 c182 (Link to this contribution)
Sympathies are not enough but, on behalf of my party, I offer them to all who have suffered. I al...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c182 (Link to this contribution)
First, may I congratulate the hon. Lady on her appointment as leader of the Plaid Cymru Members i...; Richard Drax | 626 c183 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend confirm that if the cladding is found to be illegal and other research ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c183 (Link to this contribution)
If illegal activity has taken place, that is a matter for the police and it is part of the crimin...; Angela Eagle | 626 c183 (Link to this contribution)
As the leader of a party that is responsible for seven years of austerity, which has cut 56% of t...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c183 (Link to this contribution)
We are dealing with the aftermath of a terrible disaster that has led to people losing their live...; 626 c183 (Link to this contribution); John Bercow | 626 c183 (Link to this contribution)
Order. As befits the occasion, these are thoughtful and solemn exchanges, but I must advise the H...; Jacob Rees-Mogg | 626 cc183-4 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
At the end of her compassionate and comprehensive statement, my righ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c184 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. There are many people who do not wish to live ...; 626 c184 (Link to this contribution); John Bercow | 626 c184 (Link to this contribution)
I do not want there to be an outbreak of sibling rivalry, so I must now call Maria Eagle.; Maria Eagle | 626 c184 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister confirmed in her statement that testing arrangements have discovered combustib...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c184 (Link to this contribution)
That work is already being undertaken. First, local authorities and housing associations have und...; Bernard Jenkin | 626 c184 (Link to this contribution)
I commend my right hon. Friend’s statement and the extraordinary degree of personal responsibilit...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c184 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend raises an important issue about inquiries, and of course we always look carefully ...; Karen Buck | 626 c185 (Link to this contribution)
I am still waiting to hear the Prime Minister say that she will underwrite the costs to local aut...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c185 (Link to this contribution)
We are providing testing facilities to local authorities and working with them to identify their ...; Robert Courts | 626 c185 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister please confirm that residents will be housed as close as possible to wher...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c185 (Link to this contribution)
Yes, I can give that reassurance. It is about being close to friends and family, but it is also i...; Meg Hillier | 626 c185 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister talked about looking to the future and about those whose lifestyles are far re...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c185 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government published propos...; Rebecca Pow | 626 c185 (Link to this contribution)
May I thank the Prime Minister for her detailed and compassionate statement? Does she agree that,...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c185 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is right: it is important that the evidence is identified, that the issue is prope...; Rachel Reeves | 626 c186 (Link to this contribution)
Leeds City Council has responded swiftly by communicating with tenants and residents in all 116 b...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c186 (Link to this contribution)
I thought I had responded to a number of questions on this. The Government are working with local...; Maria Eagle | 626 c186 (Link to this contribution)
Just say it!; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c186 (Link to this contribution)
There will be different circumstances in different local authorities. We will ensure that the wor...; Jeremy Lefroy | 626 c186 (Link to this contribution)
May I commend the Prime Minister for her statement and for talking about the public inquiry? From...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c186 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that point, and I will certainly pass that on. I absolutely a...; Joanna Cherry | 626 c186 (Link to this contribution)
I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement that the Government will pay for legal representation at...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c186 (Link to this contribution)
One of the experiences that came out of the Hillsborough inquiry was the importance of ensuring t...; Tom Pursglove | 626 c187 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend was absolutely right to highlight the incredible work of the brave firefight...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c187 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Support is being given to the firefighters, and indeed to the...; Alison McGovern | 626 c187 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister, in concluding her statement, said that we should
“resolve never to forg...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c187 (Link to this contribution)
I think that the best response I can give the hon. Lady on that matter is to refer her to the rem...; Huw Merriman | 626 c187 (Link to this contribution)
I note that the Prime Minister said in her statement that all social landlords have been instruct...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c187 (Link to this contribution)
The inquiry will obviously focus on what happened at Grenfell Tower, but any implications of the ...; Vicky Foxcroft | 626 c187 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister has already been asked this question several times and failed to answer it, so...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c187 (Link to this contribution)
I have answered that; I have made it clear that where work is necessary, resources will be availa...; Alex Chalk | 626 c188 (Link to this contribution)
The families of the victims are entitled to the truth—not speculation or conjecture, but the trut...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c188 (Link to this contribution)
I would hope and expect that the judge, when appointed—obviously, that individual will be indepen...; Andy Slaughter | 626 c188 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister confirm that the 68 flats in the Berkeley Homes Kensington Row developmen...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c188 (Link to this contribution)
The important point about the Berkeley Homes development is that it is being ring-fenced for peop...; Helen Whately | 626 c188 (Link to this contribution)
We have heard that the residents of Grenfell Tower had spoken out about their fears but not been ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c188 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend raises an important matter. We must ensure that organisations that have a responsi...; Philippa Whitford | 626 c188 (Link to this contribution)
Obviously, many have paid tribute to the fire and rescue workers who put their lives in danger an...; John Bercow | 626 c189 (Link to this contribution)
The erudition of the hon. Lady’s inquiry was equalled only by its length, and we need to be short...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c189 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady is absolutely right. As I have said, I visited one of the hospitals that had taken ...; Nigel Huddleston | 626 c189 (Link to this contribution)
As a representative of an area of the country that has no tower blocks, I know that the overwhelm...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c189 (Link to this contribution)
Yes, and it is absolutely the case with any recommendations that come out of this public inquiry,...; 626 c189 (Link to this contribution); John Bercow | 626 c189 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I am keen to accommodate the remaining interest, but it must be pithily conveyed.; Anneliese Dodds | 626 c189 (Link to this contribution)
I have a very quick question. Will the one-in, two-out approach to the regulatory “burden”—so-cal...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c189 (Link to this contribution)
We have always taken the issue of regulations in relation to safety very, very seriously indeed. ...; John Bercow | 626 c189 (Link to this contribution)
I congratulate the hon. Member for Oxford East (Annaliese Dodds) on her succinctness. It is clear...; Kevin Foster | 626 c189 (Link to this contribution)
I am sure that the Prime Minister will share my view that it seems almost inconceivable that an o...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c189 (Link to this contribution)
Yes. I am happy to say that it would be appropriate for this House to have an opportunity to deba...; 626 c189 (Link to this contribution); John Bercow | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
Order. We will have to wrap up at 10 past 11, so we will do what we can between now and then.
...; Rushanara Ali | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
Residents of Grenfell Tower warned the housing provider of the dangers and said that it would tak...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising an issue that has not been raised with me before. I wi...; John Howell | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
Will the results of the individual examinations to which the Prime Minister has referred be produ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
I assume that my hon. Friend is talking about the tests on the cladding—; John Howell | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
indicated assent.; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
As regards the tests on the cladding, as soon as the results are available—and the test can be do...; 626 c190 (Link to this contribution); John Bercow | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
Order. A single sentence, and a short one, from Jack Dromey.; Jack Dromey | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
Fire sprinklers save lives. May I correct the Prime Minister, because actually the inquest recomm...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
I point out to the hon. Gentleman that the recommendation was that the Department
“encourag...; Vicky Ford | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the inquiry will look at the safety of tall buildings in w...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c190 (Link to this contribution)
I think it is important that when the inquiry looks at the implications of the fire, it assesses ...; Baroness Debbonaire | 626 c191 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister please tell us why she will not choose to show leadership, require all co...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c191 (Link to this contribution)
I made the point earlier that we need to ensure that any accommodation provided by local authorit...; Richard Graham | 626 c191 (Link to this contribution)
When the Prime Minister considers her suggestion of a civil disaster taskforce, will she bear in ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c191 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend. We will consider that, and putting it in place here, with John Barradell ...; Clive Efford | 626 c191 (Link to this contribution)
When an independent safety review of a block of flats recommends retrofitting sprinklers, or majo...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c191 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman’s question seemed to be about any blocks of flats in the country, whether they...; John Bercow | 626 c191 (Link to this contribution)
Order.; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c191 (Link to this contribution)
What we are doing is ensuring first of all that the fire service and landlords—local authorities ...; Chris Williamson | 626 c191 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister concluded her statement by saying that it was the Government’s job to show tha...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c191 (Link to this contribution)
As I have already said on the issue of sprinklers, some tests on retrofitting have been undertake...; Toby Perkins | 626 c192 (Link to this contribution)
The Communities Secretary has demanded that the chief executive of Kensington and Chelsea Council...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c192 (Link to this contribution)
That matter will be considered by the appropriate group on Kensington and Chelsea Council.; Kerry McCarthy | 626 c192 (Link to this contribution)
If Bristol City Council comes to the conclusion that essential work is needed on its tower blocks...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c192 (Link to this contribution)
If the decision is made, in conjunction with the fire and rescue service, that work needs to be d...; Diana Johnson | 626 c192 (Link to this contribution)
I know that the Prime Minister believes that politicians should be accountable for their actions ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c192 (Link to this contribution)
I have had a conversation with the leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council. I told him that he n...; Alan Brown | 626 c192 (Link to this contribution)
In paying more attention to social housing, will the Prime Minister pledge to review the right-to...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c192 (Link to this contribution)
If the hon. Gentleman looks at the housing White Paper produced by the Government earlier this ye...; Margaret Greenwood | 626 c192 (Link to this contribution)
Both the fire stations in my constituency are closing as a direct result of Government cuts, so w...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c192 (Link to this contribution)
Fire services across the country are ensuring that they have the appropriate response to the fire...; John Bercow | 626 c193 (Link to this contribution)
Short sentences—Matt Western.; Matt Western | 626 c193 (Link to this contribution)
I have heard the word “encouragement” used a lot today. In my experience, that word is not necess...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c193 (Link to this contribution)
There are fire safety and building regulations in place. Landlords have a responsibility for ensu...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 626 c193 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister assure me that she will work with the devolved Administrations on the les...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c193 (Link to this contribution)
We are already talking to the devolved Administrations about the lessons and anything that is com...; Kate Green | 626 c193 (Link to this contribution)
It has already become apparent that landlords do not always know who occupies their properties, a...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c193 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady raises an interesting issue. At the heart of this is ensuring that the service give...; Rachael Maskell | 626 c193 (Link to this contribution)
Cuts have consequences. According to Home Office figures, the number of home fire safety checks h...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c194 (Link to this contribution)
The fire and rescue service obviously does conduct checks. It does that in relation to residentia...; Liz McInnes | 626 c194 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister meet urgently the fire and rescue service to discuss the advice given to ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c194 (Link to this contribution)
The fire and rescue service has representation at the meetings that I have been chairing in relat...; Alison Thewliss | 626 c194 (Link to this contribution)
May I ask that as part of the inquiry an assessment is carried out of the capacity of the fire se...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c194 (Link to this contribution)
The fire service was able to respond in this instance, but of course when the inquiry looks at th...; Jim Shannon | 626 c194 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; John Bercow | 626 c194 (Link to this contribution)
Mr Shannon—15 seconds maximum.; Jim Shannon | 626 c194 (Link to this contribution)
There are 32 high-rise tower blocks in Northern Ireland where safety tests have been carried out....; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 626 c194 (Link to this contribution)
We will indeed do that. This allows me to say to the hon. Gentleman that I hope that the Northern...; John Bercow | 626 c194 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Prime Minister very warmly for her time this morning, and all colleagues for their sp...
Subjects: Death Advocacy Disasters Housing Finance Government departments Fire prevention Insulation Migrants Kensington and Chelsea Fires Local government Public inquiries Social security benefits Schools Victims Victim support schemes Fire hazards High rise flats Grenfell Tower
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on hansard.parliament.uk

Grenfell Tower

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