§ 6. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what has been the outcome of his discussions with local authority organisations with regard to the proposals in the Thermal Insulation (Dwellings) Bill; and whether he is now in a position to make a detailed statement of Government policy with regard to this matter.
§ Mr. BevinsWhile there is general agreement that the aims of greater fuel economy in domestic heating and warmer houses should be actively pursued, the local authority associations thought that thermal insulation could not satisfactorily be divorced from other aspects of house building and ought not to be made the subject of separate regulations. The Government share this view.
As my hon. Friend knows, the insulation of houses is in fact already dealt with in building byelaws made under the Public Health Act, 1936. My right hon. Friend, who has been in close touch with the Ministers of Power and of Works, now proposes again to consult local authority and professional associations on the question whether the standard adopted in the byelaws should not be raised. If it appears that the byelaw standards should be raised, he will most certainly ask local authorities to strengthen their byelaws on this point straight away.
§ Mr. NabarroHaving regard to the fact that the Measure referred to has now been before the House for six months, can my hon. Friend tell the 6 House how soon he hopes to complete his further negotiations with the representative bodies of the local associations?
§ Mr. BevinsI can tell my hon. Friend that our further discussions with the local authorities will start almost at once. If they are in agreement that the standard of the byelaws ought to be raised, we shall take the necessary action to that effect.
§ Mr. NabarroI am very much obliged.