Government inspectors should be given powers to hunt for lethal wiring in hostels says Shadow Works and Engineering Minister Erwin Adderley.

He is calling for a change the Bermuda Housing Amendment Act 2001, currently going through Parliament, to include that in its hit list of things which could allow Government to condemn multiple dwelling units.

He said although life safety matters are covered in the Bermuda Building Code once an occupancy certificate was issued at the end of the construction process, the inspection ceases.

Mr. Adderley said: "There is nothing in place, in the Code or in the building inspection administration, to deal with follow-up and maintenance inspections."

He said Mr. Bascome had mentioned the problems of faulty wiring when introducing the Bill but had not included it the Act.

He said: "I suggested to the Minister that, if these life safety issues were included within his powers to condemn housing as unfit for human habitation, it would allow the building inspectors and fire officers to go in and inspect these buildings on his behalf.

"This would enable any of these deficiencies discovered to be resolved along with the other deficiencies."

He said similar provisions covered hotels and old people's homes.

"It doesn't make sense. When it is finished there is no follow up process."

Mr. Adderley said the Bill should be amended as it goes through the Senate on Wednesday to tackle faulty wiring and ensure smoke detectors were provided.

But Mr. Bascome said powers to deal with faulty wiring were already contained in other legislation although he couldn't say which.

He told The Royal Gazette: "We will ensure that whatever needs to be inspected is inspected.

"We brought in the act, there are support bills that didn't have to be written in to the act."

Mr. Bascome said he would be advising Government Senators that it was not necessary to amend the Bermuda Housing Amendment Act 2001.