Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry

Debate between Jim McMahon and Eddie Hughes

Wednesday 12th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Eddie Hughes]

I am not sure that I can totally agree with the latter half of the hon. Gentleman’s point. I think the fire service’s response to the Grenfell tragedy was absolutely fantastic, as was that to the bombing of the Ariana Grande concert. The service that I personally have had from Lee Sketchley at West Midlands fire service has been absolutely fantastic. The fire service is clearly managing to deliver a first-class service with its current resources.

I end by simply saying: let us make absolutely sure that we understand that fire safety is everybody’s responsibility.

[Jim McMahon (Oldham West and Royton) (Lab/Co-op)]

I know that the hon. Gentleman is just about to finish his speech but, notwithstanding all his points about personal responsibility, and not painting fire doors or propping them open with fire extinguishers, people must be forgiven for leaving their windows open on a hot summer’s night only for flames to engulf their flats from the outside in.

[Eddie Hughes]

I could not agree more. We need to be certain that the design criteria we apply to these buildings mitigates that sort of circumstance.