§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the programme of work of his Housing Development Directorate since 25th March 1975; what publications have been produced by it since then, and which of them were of direct relevance to private housing.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Housing Development Directorate has continued to work on tasks within the various fields outlined in the replies given to the hon. Member in June 1974 and March 1975. Particular studies recently initiated include an appraisal of procurement procedures in local authority house building in order to update and consolidate our advice; a study of the nature and requirements of the housing management service in local authorities and housing associations; and, in the private sector, a series of studies to explore the acceptability of, and demand for, alternative forms of lower priced housing. In addition, the Directorate has applied information to various departmental committees, including the Housing Finance Review and the Housing Cost Yardstick Review.
Since 25th March 1975 the Directorate has produced the following publications:
Design Bulletin 31—Housing for the elderly: the size of grouped schemes.Housing Development Note v—Water services for housing: Part 1 Performance requirements for cold water services; Part 2 Cold water installations; Part 3 Performance requirements for domestic hot water systems; Part 4 Domestic hot water installations.Occasional Paper 1/75—Social effects of living off the ground.357WOccasional Paper 2/75—Wheelchair housing.Ad hoc publications for exhibitions—Starter and extendable homes; Housing needs and action: the need for smaller homes.Awards for Good Design in Housing—An illustrated booklet on the 1975 Awards competition.All these publications are of direct relevance to private as well as public sector housing.