Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

I, too, thank the Minister for introducing the order and associate myself with the remarks made by the noble Lord, Lord Glentoran. Those of us who have lived in Northern Ireland have seen how superb the Northern Ireland fire service has proved to be. On a technical point, will the Minister explain a little further the provisions relating to the risk assessment process? While it rightly places an emphasis on risk to life, it seems to limit the process to an assessment of risks to employees in respect of harm caused by fire in the workplace. Would it not be more prudent to include risk to life to customers and other persons likely to be on site and firefighters who may attempt to access the building in an emergency situation? Should not risk assessment programmes also take into account social, economic and environmental impacts on the community, the ability of business to manage risks unsupported or unmonitored and other risk indicators such as the incidence of crime and arson locally?