Labour AM for the Vale of Clwyd, Ann Jones, has said that she has vowed to continue to challenge all inaccuracies and outright lies spread by Conservative politicians, vested interest housebuilder companies and some sections of the media following the Secretary of State for Wales’ latest inaccurate statements on the effects of fire sprinklers on the housing industry in Wales.
During the Secretary of State’s annual appearance at the Assembly, Ms Jones, wielding a sprinkler challenged him to use the evidence supporting sprinklers to push for the UK Government to follow Wales’ example and make sprinklers mandatory across the UK.
Ms Jones said: “I am sick and tired of a Conservative Secretary of State constantly seeking to undermine a piece of legislation passed democratically by the Assembly. During the scrutiny of the sprinklers Measure, Assembly Members from all political persuasion exposed the inaccuracies of the so-called evidence provided by vested interest housebuilders who were totally obsessed with their profit margins.
“All we have heard from some is negative comments and outright lies. How can David Jones claim that sprinklers are affecting the construction industry in Wales when the requirement for sprinklers only comes fully into effect in 2016?
“The main truth about fire sprinklers is that they save lives. They cost less to install than a power shower and are good for the environment and protect homes from being ravaged by fire. No-one has ever died in a house fire which has been fully protected by sprinklers.
“I am absolutely resolute in my determination to continue to speak out against the lies being spread which seek to mislead the public and undermine the hard work done by so many in making sure sprinklers become a reality. I will continue to promote sprinklers and will not stop until homes in the UK are afforded the same protection Welsh homes receive from the Domestic Fire Safety legislation”.
