Summerland Debate Sought in Commons

Labour MP Justin Madders has asked for time to be given for the House of Commons to discuss the Summerland fire.

This year marks 50 years since the blaze which claimed 50 lives.

Mr Madders said that members of his Ellesmere Port & Neston constituency had lost family members in the fire and he was surprised that it hadn’t previously been discussed in the Commons.

He said that he had tried to secure a Westminster Hall debate, these give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister, however he was unsuccessful.

Mr Madders therefore asked Leader of the House Penny Mourdant MP for some time before the summer recess to allow a debate in the Commons.

She congratulated the MP on raising the matter and ensuring it had been mentioned on the floor of the House, but that she would speak to the relevant department.

The Summerland fire on August 2 1973 claimed 50 lives, injured at least 80 and led to changes to fire and building regulations.

Despite the scale of the tragedy – and the implications it had for our current building safety crisis – the Summerland fire has never even been debated in the House of Commons. @justinmadders is trying to secure parliamentary time before the 50th anniversary this summer ?

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— Richmond House Residents (@RH_residents) July 2, 2023