Schools Minister, Vernon Coaker, told an astonished House of Commons yesterday (Monday) that not every new school is fitted with a sprinkler system.

The Minister was responding to a succinct and straight to the point question from Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, who asked: Are all new schools fitted with sprinkler systems, and if not, why not?

The Minister responded: "No, not all new schools are fitted with sprinklers, but the expectation is that unless they are low-risk schools, they will be fitted with sprinklers. We passed regulations on the matter, and, clearly, when new schools are built, fire safety is of the utmost importance."

Speaking afterwards, the Pendle MP said: "This is indeed a crazy world. It is cheaper to install a sprinkler system when a school is being built rather than put it in afterwards."

"Every school, without exception, should have sprinklers."

"I am finding out where these schools are and I shall make sure something is done about it."