Christina spoke in the Scottish Government debate on 10 September:

“There was a long-term trend of reducing the number of fire deaths, but since the 2005 act came into force that has tended to reverse. In 2007, fire deaths increased to the same level as in 1959, and the number has increased further since. None of us wants that to continue…The increase is a worrying development, and even more so when we consider that the number of fires has continued to decline. That is a salient point—the number of fires has declined, but the number of deaths has increased. The immediate temptation is to conclude that fires are now more dangerous, with fewer fires causing a greater number of deaths and injuries. That might be the case, but I ask the minister to have the evidence examined, so that we know for sure the cause of the increase in fatalities, which will allow us to take the necessary steps to address the problem.”

To read the full text of Christina’s speech, go to http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0910-02.htm#Col19471