§ 30. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Health if he will include a footnote to Clause 22 of his Ministry's model by-laws dealing with foundations, which would table the safe bearing pressure of various sub-soils such as is included in the regulations for London.
§ Mr. WillinkMy hon. Friend's suggestion has already received some consideration and will be borne in mind.
§ 31. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Clause 20 of his model by-laws provides that where the exceptional condition of the site or the exceptional nature of the soil renders the requirement unnecessary, no steps need be taken concerning the prevention of dampness; and, as these conditions are exceptional and the clause is often a cause of disagreement between local authorities and builders, will he revise it and extend the requirement to at least every domestic building in hew by-laws contemplated by his Ministry.
§ Mr. WillinkThe present form of the clause was deliberately framed by the Advisory Committee responsible for preparing the new model. I do not think there is sufficient evidence to justify a change, but my hon. Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind.
§ Mr. BossomDoes the Minister not think it desirable to ask for a layer of concrete over all sites, in order to stop damp and fungus coming up under the houses, as has happened in quite a number of places?
§ Mr. WillinkThat is a somewhat different question. This by-law was deliberately framed by my Advisory Committee 1301 on By-laws a short time ago. On hard surface, it is not necessary, as, for example, on rock, and at present I see no ground for altering the by-law.
§ Mr. BossomMy right hon. and learned Friend yesterday stated that there was no regulation to compel the prevention of vegetation—and that means fungus—under these houses. As regards rock, I do not know of a single case, and I doubt if the Minister can find a single case, where a private house is built on rock.
§ 34. Colonel Viscount Suirdaleasked the Minister of Health whether he will make arrangements for individual local authorities which form part of groups under Circular 14/44, to invite separate tenders for preparing housing sites in their areas, in addition to the tenders, covering larger areas, invited by the group leaders from larger firms, in order to prove whether the larger contractors can tender more economically than the smaller local firms.
§ Mr. WillinkWhile there is nothing to prevent local authorities proceeding as my Noble Friend suggests, such a procedure would involve much unnecessary work on the part both of local authorities and the contractors at a time when their staffs and organisations are under considerable strain.