HC Deb 01 November 1965 vol 718 cc602-4
26. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what staff he anticipates will be necessary to deal with the forthcoming building licences proposals; and where they will be accommodated.

Mr. C. Pannell

Only about a dozen staff.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

With regard to these doctrinaire proposals, how many licences does the Minister think his staff will be able to issue in a day and how long will it be before the fact of refusal is known and an appeal can be made?

Mr. Pannell

If the hon. Gentleman has read the Order Paper he will know that I am to answer Questions about that later.

33. Mr. R. W. Elliott

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, in view of the fact that three months have elapsed since the announcement of the introduction of building licences, whether he will make interim arrangements to give provisional licences for developments urgently required in order to overcome the uncertainties of architects, builders and builders' suppliers.

34. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is aware that many urgent building projects are in jeopardy because their sponsors do not know whether a building licence will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the policy he intends to pursue in granting licences.

Mr. C. Pannell

In advance of the Bill I am prepared to consider applications for permission to start a limited number of projects that are extremely urgent and essential. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the form which these applications should take.

Mr. Elliott

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his announcement will give a great deal of relief to the building industry, particularly in the North-East, where we have a great deal of development which it is generally recognised is urgent? Would he accept that since the announcement of the building licence proposal there has been enormous confusion in the building industry, with even a laying-off of some architectural staff?

Mr. Pannell

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman should have referred to the North-East because he should be aware that that is one of the excepted regions, to which, of course, this does not apply.

Mrs. Short

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his Answer—and I, too, welcome this very much—I am sure that all hon. Members and—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Lady must ask a question.

Mrs. Short

Is my right hon. Friend aware that hon. Members and people outside support him in everything he is doing to get building going and to get our building priorities right?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Will the document which the right hon. Gentleman said he would distribute contain some indication of the class of case which he is likely to consider favourably, and will he circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Mr. Pannell

The right hon. Gentleman could not have heard me. I said that it is being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. It is rather too long to get by this Mr. Speaker. I will only say at this stage that what has to be proved is that these sorts of thing are matters of extreme urgency. That is the only qualification I can give at this stage.

Following are the details:

Applications for Permission to Start Work on Building Projects subject to Licensing

The building licensing system announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th July, 1965, will apply with effect from that date to privately sponsored projects costing over £100,000 (exclusive of the cost of land and professional fees) other than housing, industrial buildings as defined by Section 21 of the Local Employment Act 1960 or any works in development districts. The control will not affect projects for which a contract had been entered into before the Chancellor's statement, repairs and maintenance, or alterations which do not involve a change in the purpose for which a building is used or its substantial enlargement. Nor will it affect buildings or extensions to buildings containing office premises beyond the exemption limit, for which the Board of Trade have issued a permit under Part 1 of the Control of Office and Industrial Development Act, 1965, or work which is the subject of an outstanding cost of works War Damage claim.

2. Any project authorised by me under the terms of my answer will be exempt from the effect of the licensing machinery.

Applications may now be made to the Ministry of Public Building and Works for permission to start work on projects which are clearly in the public interest and of extreme urgency and will be ready to start within six months. Applications should be addressed:

Projects in England:

The Secretary,

Ministry of Public Building and Works,

Secretariat G2 (Room 124),

Lambeth Bridge House,

London, S.E.1.

Projects in Scotland:

The Under Secretary.

Ministry of Public Building and Works, (B.I.M.O.),

122, George Street,

Edinburgh, 2.

Projects in Wales:

The Director for Wales,

Ministry of Public Building and Works, (B.I.M.O.),

Government Buildings,

Gabalfa, Cardiff.

3. Applications should be by letter and should state:—

  1. (a) name and address of the person paying the cost of the work and (when known) the contractors;
  2. (b) address where the work is to be carried out;
  3. (c) brief description of the work, including form of construction and the gross area of accommodation to be provided;
  4. (d) purpose for which the building is intended (if there is more than one purpose, the gross area for each should be stated);
  5. (e) estimated cost (excluding cost of land and professional fees);
  6. (f) approximate starting date and duration of work;
  7. (g) reasons why the work is considered essential and urgent at present.

4. Anyone in any doubt about the application of the licensing system or the method of seeking permission to start a project may obtain advice from the Ministry's offices listed above or from any Regional Office of the Ministry.