§ 4. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to encourage the production of standard building components for industrialised methods of building.
§ Mr. BoydenThe Ministry is using its own programme to encourage the production of standard building components and is continually advising client authorities, the industry and its associated professions. The Ministry is promoting dimensional co-ordination; for example, by pressing for the adoption of standard floor to floor heights in housing.
§ Mrs. ShortCan my hon. Friend say what proportion of building will be done this year by using these components, what the value of production in terms of money will be, and if he will encourage builders to use these standardised components even when building traditional houses?
§ Mr. BoydenThe answer to the last part of that question is "Yes, Sir". 331 However, I would need notice of the details and implications of the first two parts before answering them.
§ Mr. IremongerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Great London Council, formerly the London County Council, is far from helpful in this regard, and that the London Building Regulations make it almost impossible for standard building components to be manufactured which are not out of keeping with the requirements of building in London?
§ Mr. BoydenThat is a point of view I should find surprising.
§ Mr. LubbockCan the hon. Gentleman say whether any decision has been made about my suggestion that house building by industrial methods should be distinguished separately in the quarterly housing summaries?
§ Mr. BoydenNo, Sir.