§ 25. Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will introduce legislation to protect house owners from the failure of builders to carry out adequately the instructions and decisions of planning authorities.
§ Sir K. JosephNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MilneIs the right hon. Gentleman aware from information that we have given him in regard to a local case that there is not only local concern but national concern about this matter? Does he not consider that it is entirely wrong that where a builder fails to carry out the decisions of the planning authority, the occupiers of the houses should have to meet the cost involved?
§ Sir K. JosephThere are two points here. First, the planning authority can lay down as a condition of planning permission any requirements that it wishes, and it can enforce those requirements. Secondly, the purchaser must satisfy himself that what the builder purports to sell to him he is, in fact, buying.
Mr. J. WellsIs my right hon. Friend aware that many purchasers of houses are far from satisfied that their builders are carrying out the instructions of the local authorities? Will he look at this matter seriously again with a view to protecting young persons when buying their first house?
§ Sir K. JosephI wonder whether my hon. Friend is on the same point. The Question was about the decision of planning authorities. If it was a question of byelaws or standards, that is a different matter. The House will be aware that the housebuilders themselves, with co-operation from my Department, are looking into the whole question of raising standards of housebuilding.