To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of enforcement of fire regulations in former guest houses and hotels in seaside towns which are now used as houses of multiple occupation. (263004)

The Department has worked closely with LACORS (Local Authority Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services), the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Chief Fire Officers Association who published guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing, including houses in multiple occupation. This can be found on the LACORS website:

www.lacors.gov.uk

The Department has commissioned an initial evaluation of the effectiveness of fire safety legislation, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This includes the perspective of the responsible persons, the enforcing authorities and the fire industry. We will publish the outcome of this evaluation shortly and will put a copy in the House of Commons Library.