§ 16. Mr. S. S. Awberyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when granting building licences, to make it a condition that the completed buildings must pass the test of a qualified building inspector when they are ready for occupation.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanLocal authorities by whom licences are issued are asked already to exercise supervision equivalent to that laid down in the scheme of the National House Builders Registration Council.
§ Mr. AwberyMay I ask what further steps the Minister is taking to protect the tenant or prospective owner from jerry builders, and to see that the right materials are used and that the right kind of house is built?
§ Mr. MacmillanThe byelaws cover this to some extent, and the growth and authority of the National House Builders Registration Council has, I think, filled up any gaps which remain.
§ Mr. SpeakerLieut.-Colonel Lipton, Question No. 19.
§ Mr. F. Beswick rose—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member's Question No. 18 was answered with Question No. 2. The hon. Member was not present.
§ Mr. BeswickAs you have quite rightly said, Mr. Speaker, I was not in the House when my Question was answered with Question No. 2. May I ask—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I must have order on a point of order.
§ Mr. BeswickMay I ask if it is not necessary to get my permission to answer that Question with another Question and who gave that permission in my absence?
§ Mr. SpeakerAs the hon. Member was not here, neither his permission nor his denial of permission could have been ascertained. It is quite usual for Questions to be answered together.
§ Mr. BeswickIs it not necessary for permission to be granted, and therefore is it in order for the Question to be answered when that permission has not been given?
§ Mr. SpeakerIf the hon. Member is present in the House he can say that he does not want his Question answered with another, but if he is not here he has no remedy.