§ 48 and 49. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Prime Minister (1), whether he will request the sub-committee, iron and steel, of the Economic Advisory Council to investigate the uses of steel in steel-framed buildings, with the object of reviewing and revising the regulations of local authorities in relation to steel-framed buildings in so far as such regulations have become obsolete and consequently hamper the adoption of modern building methods and materials;
979 (2) whether he will request the subcommittee, iron and steel, of the Economic Advisory Council to examine possible extensions of the use of steel in the building industry, with the object of suggesting appropriate standardisations of size, quality, and pattern of materials to be employed in steel-framed buildings, so that by mass production costs may be reduced for the purpose of bringing about an increased use of building steel?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Iron and Steel Committee of the Economic Advisory Council are considering the general position of the industry, and investigations on points of detail such as the hon. Member suggests would be outside their terms of reference. The points raised by the hon. Member, however, are to a large extent being dealt with by the Steel Structures Research Committee under the Chairmanship of Sir Clement Hindley, which has been set up by the Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Particulars of this Committee are given on pages 3 and 10 of Cmd. 3471.
§ Mr. SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the delay in revising these obsolete building Acts is holding up employment in the steel and engineering trades?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe are awaiting the Committee's report.
§ Mr. SAMUELMay I request the right hon. Gentleman to expedite that report?