§ 42. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Minister of Health whether his Department lays down any regulations as to loads to which steel frames in buildings may be subjected; whether he is aware that steel frames are allowed by some local authorities to carry loads or stresses which are prohibited by other local authorities, although steel frames of the same quality, strength, and design are used in both cases; and whether he will recommend local authorities to adopt uniform regulations applicable to identical conditions?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe position outside London is that the use of steel framing in almost all the large urban centres is subject only to a bylaw requiring due stability and proper construction. The actual practice of local authorities is now under investigation by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in a number of areas. In the light of that investigation I propose to consider the possibility of suggesting to local authorities some working guide in deciding what is necessary to secure due stability.
§ 43. Mr. SAMUELasked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange for the Steel Frame Act of 1909 to be examined by scientific authorities for the purpose of revising its provisions rendered obsolete by the improvements in steelmaking since 1909, so as to correct building regulations under the Act which are now so out of date that local authorities frequently waive them?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe Building Research Department have, as the hon. Member was informed on the 27th May, set up a committee to review, among other things, present methods and regulations for the design of steel structures. The Act of 1909 is a London County Council Act applying only to London, and, as was stated in the answer to the hon. Member's question of the 3rd instant it rests with the County Council to propose to Parliament any Measure for bringing it up to date. The County Council have express power in that Act and the Act of 1923 to waive its requirements in so far as they relate to iron and steel construction. I am communicating with the County Council on the subject.
§ Mr. SAMUELWill the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to see that the regulations made in 1909—which are utterly obsolete in view of the researches into steel alloys—are modified?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIt is precisely because of that that I have entered into the matter with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the London County Council.
§ Mr. SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, although we have no right to criticise the London County Council in this matter, they are exceedingly backward?
§ 44. Mr. SAMUELasked the Minister of Health whether he will revise the 1915 regulations governing the use of reinforced concrete so that they may be applicable to the increased strength of cement developed in the last 15 years; and, if not, whether he has any information about the action which local authorities are taking to bring their building regulations up to date in relation to the use of reinforced concrete?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe regulations of 1915 are regulations made by the London County Council and it rests with them 569 to propose their revision. The County Council obtained power in an Act of 1926 to waive any of the requirements in the regulations, and I am in communication with them on the subject. Outside London the use of reinforced concrete is normally controlled by by-laws, which have almost everywhere been brought up-to-date. As a rule they contain only a simple requirement that a wall built of reinforced concrete shall be of sufficient thickness to secure due stability.
§ Mr. MILLSWill the Minister of Health have inquiries made into the very great advances which have been made in the manufacture of cement during the last seven years?
§ Mr. SAMUELIs there not evidence here that the London County Council are using obstructive tactics?
§ Mr. GREENWOODAs I have already informed the right hon. Gentleman, I am in communication with them on this subject.
§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHHas the right hon. Gentleman any idea when we may expect a report to the effect that these regulations are no longer necessary?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI cannot say, but that is primarily a matter for the local authorities, and, while I do the best I can by exhortation and advice, I cannot control them.