HC Deb 11 May 1965 vol 712 cc241-2
5 and 6. Mr. Ioan L. Evans

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he will make a statement on his discussions with the National House Builders' Registration Council with regard to improvements in the standards imposed for houses built and in the remedies provided for purchasers;

(2) what steps are to be taken to strengthen the work of the National Housebuilders' Registration Council.

Mr. Crossman

I hope to make a statement before long.

Mr. Evans

Will my right hon. Friend when he makes the statement bear in mind the study of the Consumers' Association on the question of jerrybuilding? Will he also consider approaching the Building Societies Association to ensure that any new contracts for houses contain safeguards for consumers?

Mr. Crossman

Yes, I accept both the points my hon. Friend makes. I should in fairness point out that the criticisms made by Consumers' Association were made before the latest specification was laid down by the N.H.B.R.C. We have been talking with the building societies and our talks with the other concerns are nearly completed. I do not think it should be long before we are able to make a statement on this very important subject.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

In addition to having in mind the Report of the Consumers' Association, will the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the more recent debate in the House and the observations there made from both sides?

Mr. Crossman

I am glad that the right hon. and learned Gentleman has given me the opportunity of saying that I found the debate extremely interesting. I thought that my hon. Friend's reply was as full as one could possibly make it, but we must await the completion of the rest of the talks. I can add that the building societies, I am glad to say, have now started talks with the N.H.B.R.C. about the very issue of the warranty to which my hon. Friend has referred.

Mr. Stainton

Does the right hon. Gentleman acknowledge the undertaking given by the Parliamentary Secretary when I withdrew a Private Member's Bill dealing with jerrybuilding? The undertaking was to the effect that on condition that I withdrew the Bill I would be called into consultation by the Minister.

Mr. Crossman

Yes, Sir. I have taken that fully into account and I will certainly do that.