Lympne School was destroyed by fire after what appears to have been an electrical fault started a blaze. A pupil spotted smoke and raised the alarm; all pupils and staff escaped unharmed, but the building was devastated. The school hall, where assembly was being held minutes before, collapsed.
In a House of Commons adjournment debate, called by Mr Howard, he said that sprinklers should be made mandatory in schools. They should be fitted during construction or refurbishment, and phased in over time throughout other schools. The added cost of sprinklers would be recouped through reduced building costs elsewhere and vastly reduced insurance premiums.
Although the Government is investing a lot of money in new buildings and refurbishments for schools, Mr Howard told the House, they are failing to protect that investment by ensuring sprinklers are installed. The safety of schools, and the lives of children, are being needlessly put at risk by the Government.
Despite putting a strong case for sprinklers, the Minister's pre-prepared response was non-commital. Michael Howard will continue to do all he can to urge the Government to adopt these proposals. |
