§ 22. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the increasing use of plastic pipes for plumbing purposes, what steps he will take, by reviewing building bye-laws or other means, to ensure that the practice of earthing electricity equipment to the water pipes of domestic houses is discouraged as being dangerous.
§ 30. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what reports he has received in respect of danger from the usage of plastic pipes in houses.
§ Mr. CorfieldI have seen recent Press reports of a case in which electric shock was apparently caused because the electrical system of the house was earthed to a plastic water pipe. My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Minister of Power are in touch with the water and electricity industries to concert the action to be taken against risks of this kind.
§ Sir B. JannerWill the hon. Gentleman let us know when he expects to have a report concerning this matter? The position is rather serious. Will he urge that the report should be made as quickly as possible so that action can be taken?
§ Mr. CorfieldThe hon. Member appreciates, I am sure, that the main question here is education. Earthing to metal waterpipes isperfectly satisfactory. I promise the hon. Gentleman that we will push on with this as a matter of urgency.
§ Mr. SorensenHave any inquiries been made, quite apart from Press reports, regarding this material, both as to its durability, on the one hand, and its liability to prevent electrical leaks, on the other hand?
§ Mr. CorfieldI understand that from the viewpoint of durability, there are no difficulties. It is, however, recognised that it is not a conductor and that it breaks the earth conducting system. What is important is that we should reach a situation that, when this material is put into an existing system, people affected will be warned of the likely consequences.