HC Deb 26 February 1952 vol 496 cc929-30
35. Mr. Gibson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will, in order to maintain good standards of house building, make compulsory as a minimum standard the general specification laid down by the National Householders' Registration Council referred to in the appendix to circular 73/51 issued by him on 27th November last.

Mr. Macmillan

No, Sir. I have no evidence that the present arrangements are inadequate.

Mr. Gibson

Is the Minister aware that unless he lays down a minimum specification for the 50 per cent. of the houses which are to be built under private enterprise he stands a very good risk of getting those jerry built houses such as we had before the war?

Mr. Macmillan

I thought there was a general agreement that the system of the National Housebuilders Registration Council worked extremely well.

Mr. Gibson

Is it not a fact that the Council's recommendations are purely voluntary and in no way binding on anybody?

Mr. Macmillan

In spite of this passion for compulsion which hon. Gentlemen opposite seem to have, if everything is voluntary and operates over the whole field I think it is a very good plan.