To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to lift Crown immunity in relation to fire inspections in prisons.

Although prisons are exempt from the arrangements for fire certification under the Fire Precautions Act 1971, governors are instructed to arrange periodic fire surveys by the local fire brigade, and the advice of Her Majesty's fire service inspectorate is taken if necessary, with the aim of meeting the joint objectives of fire safety and prison security. I see no compelling need to alter these arrangements.