HC Deb 20 April 1964 vol 693 cc855-6
16. Mr. Small

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what action he has taken to implement the recommendations of the Report of the Working Party on Building and Civil Engineering Procedure in Scotland to stimulate increased Scottish production of building materials and components.

Mr. Sharples

My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position shortly to make a statement about the Report and its implementation.

Mr. Small

Will the Government examine the possibility of using local stone and other local materials, since architects and designers would welcome a change from the industrialised concrete world in which they seem to be working?

Mr. Sharples

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend will certainly take the hon. Gentleman's point into account.

22. Mr. Millan

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what action he has taken to implement the recommendations of the Working Party on Building and Civil Engineering Procedure in Scotland on conditions of contract for building work in Scotland.

21. Mr. Ross

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Working Party on Building and Civil Engineering Procedure in Scotland in respect of contractual practices in the industry.

Mr. Sharples

On conditions of contract in Scotland, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland has set up a committee to revise the existing Scottish general conditions of contract. The committee has already met once and is dealing with this as a matter of urgency. On the recommendations of the Working Party generally, my right hon. Friend has invited comments from the organisations and bodies concerned.

Mr. Millan

On the question of contractual practices, are Government Departments to take any steps to initiate the all-trades form of contracting instead of the present separate trade contracting which is prevalent in Scotland?

Mr. Sharples

We have the recommendations of the Working Party under consideration and I think that I would rather leave further comments on this matter until my right hon. Friend has made his broader statement.