HC Deb 11 May 1944 vol 399 cc2067-8
20. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Health whether he is making an endeavour to bring greater uniformity and simplicity to building laws and regulations to eliminate the delays now inseparable from the production of constructional working drawings caused by variations in bylaws now in force in the different built-up areas.

Mr. Willink

As I stated in reply to the hen and gallant Member for Skipton (Mr. H. Lawson) on 4th May, by-laws made under the Public Health Act, 1936, are now practically everywhere in force, apart from London and the provincial towns where the position is governed by special Acts. The by-laws under the Act of 1936 are substantially uniform and in accordance with my model by-laws. I do not know of any variations between different areas which would cause delay in producing constructional working drawings, but if my hon. Friend can call attention to any such variations I will look into them.

Mr. Bossom

Could my right hon. and learned Friend look into it anyhow, because if he does so, he will find that the towns have so many slight variations, that they delay the architects and engineers considerably in producing their. working drawings?

Mr. Willink

My hon. Friend is an expert and I have given him an invitation to produce examples of this. I think that is perfectly fair.

Mr. Bossom

I have not an entire Department at my disposal to do this. My right hon. and learned Friend has.

24. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Health whether any new developments, approved by the Building Research Station or other authorised body, will be made available and legally usable throughout the country without further separate applications having to be made in each individual case to the different local authorities before they may be employed.

Mr. Willink

It is not proposed to take away from local authorities their present statutory duty of considering whether building plans satisfy the Public Health Acts and by-laws made thereunder. Outside London these are based upon model by-laws which were issued just before the war, and the model can be revised, as necessary, in the light of any important developments in building technique.

Mr. Bossom

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that this House votes money to the Research Station? Could not the nation get the advantage of its work, instead of the advantage being confined to one place only?

Mr. Willink

If my hon. Friend can suggest any way in which the nation does not get the advantage of that work, I shall, of course, consider it.

Mr. Bossom

Will my right hon. and learned Friend make a model by-law every time a system is approved, so that the nation will get the advantage?

Mr. Willink

I cannot imagine that such a procedure would be practicable.