§ 76. Mr. LOUGHERasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the complaints of builders as to restrictions imposed by building inspectors acting under local authorities, and to the prolonged delays in obtaining sanction to build; and whether his Department can make such arrangements as will tend to speed up the official procedure of local authorities and the discontinuance of Regulations under which builders and contractors are subject to delay and heavy expense in the execution of their work?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI presume that my hon. Friend refers to the approval of plans under local by-laws. Section 158 of the Public Health Act, 1875, already provides that local authorities shall signify in writing their approval or disapproval of plans submitted to them within one month. I have no reason to think that there is any general cause for complaint, but if my hon. Friend has any cases in mind, I shall be glad if he will let me know of them.