§ 1. Mr. Derek Walker-Smithasked the Minister of Health whether the requirement, placed upon local authorities by paragraph 17 (2) of the memorandum accompanying his Departmental Circular 25/50, to indicate to principal regional officers of his Department the type of contract in respect of housing, is anywhere reinforced, or proposed to be reinforced, by a recommendation to use the standard form of building contract specially adapted for the use of local authorities and issued under the sanction of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the National Federation of British Trades Employers.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Bevan)No, Sir, but I have the matter under consideration.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIs the Minister able to say, without notice, whether or not in the majority of cases this standard form of contract is at present in use by local authorities?
§ Mr. BevanI think it is, and I am hoping very shortly to issue a circular to local authorities calling attention to the need to use it.
§ Mr. MarplesWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the recommendation of the Working Party on the Building Industry in this respect?