Oral Answers to Questions

Nick Raynsford Excerpts

Monday 3rd March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, because it allows me just gently to remind him that, under the Labour Government, I do not remember any Opposition Members looking completely to review business rates or to do something about them—unlike this Government, who have just announced a £1 billion package, particularly to help businesses in and around our high streets to go from strength to strength, because we care about our high streets and the communities they serve.

[Mr Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and Woolwich) (Lab)]

8. What representations he has received in support of the case for making the installation of smoke alarms mandatory in all privately rented accommodation. [R]

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Stephen Williams)]

Representations have been received from a range of organisations, including the Chief Fire Officers Association. We recently published a discussion paper on property conditions in the sector, which invites views on whether smoke alarms should be mandatory in privately rented accommodation. The deadline for comments is 28 March.

[Mr Raynsford]

I first draw attention to my interest that is declared in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.

Given the overwhelming evidence that smoke alarms save lives and given that the cost of installing a smoke alarm with a 10-year battery is between only £15 and £20, will the Minister stop hiding behind the regulatory burden excuse that is all over the consultation paper to which he referred and accept that we need the mandatory installation of smoke alarms in private rented housing as soon as possible?

[Stephen Williams]

I assure the right hon. Gentleman that I am not hiding behind anything. A consultation is happening and the deadline for comments is just 25 days away, so I think that we can wait until then. He is right that there has been a dramatic fall in the number of deaths in the home as a result of fire. It is at its lowest level since records began.