To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provisions of the Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. (277854)

In 2000, DTI published a report: “Effectiveness of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988”. Copies of this were placed in the libraries of the House. The report showed that, at a conservative estimate, the Regulations had saved at least 710 lives (1,860 when additional factors are taken into consideration) and prevented at least 5,770 injuries from 1988 to 1997. In March this year, this Department commissioned Greenstreet Berman Ltd. to research the current effectiveness of the regulations. Their report should be completed by autumn 2009.