§ 17. Mr. Willisasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on his inquiries into industrial building techniques.
§ Mr. RipponI have established a Directorate General of Research and Development. Its task is to help me further the development and application of industrialised building techniques on a sound technical and economic basis. I have recently issued the first of a series of technical statements on dimensional co-ordination for industrialised building, and will issue further statements in the course of the year.
§ Mr. WillisCan the Minister give any indication as to when he expects any results from this, because quite a lot of people require jobs and homes? Surely it is in the best interests of all to bring these two needs together as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. RipponI appreciate the need for speed. The first result is this statement on dimensional co-ordination which provides an agreed basis for dimensional co-ordination in the public sector for houses, hospitals, schools and offices. Further statements will follow. I hope that this will assist very much in the design of buildings and the manufacture of components.