This diagram shows the prescribed safe zones for concealed cables in walls.
If a cable is run outside of the zones shown with green and blue then it must either be buried to a dept of 50mm or more below the finished wall surface, or comply with regulation 522-06-06 parts (i), (ii), & (iii) (see below)
If the wall is 100mm or less thick then the safe zone also extends to the other side of the wall as shown here in more detail
Also an external link to have a browse through:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/4.4.1.htm -Guide to the 16th Edition IEE Regulations 4.4 - Cable supports, joints and terminations:
External links with more information on rules for concealed cables:
http://www.voltimum.co.uk/files/gb/attachments/niu/l/attachments/c5-43.pdf
http://web.archive.org/web/20061110111450/http://www.niceic.org.uk/downloads/concealedcables.pdf
IEE article
IEE Article on new requirements for concealed cables IMPORTANT : Click.
SKIRTING BOARDS
You must never run cables horizontally behind skirting boards unless they are enclosed in earthed, steel conduit. Vertically from under the floor to a socket on the wall above the skirting is fine.