§ 19. Mr. Tilneyasked the Minister of Technology, in view of the heavy cost to the British economy during the last three years through calls on British insurance companies and Lloyds and damage to British-owned property because of destruction by hurricane, what experiments he is planning in his Department or sponsoring in research elsewhere towards lessening such damage.
§ Mr. ShoreThe effect of wind pressures on buildings is studied at the National Physical Labarotory and at the Building Research Station. The Overseas Division of Building Research 232 Station is always ready to give advice on the design of buildings for hurricane areas.
§ Mr. TilneyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is much more than a matter of buildings and that the claims resulting from Hurricane "Betsy" were the biggest of all time for the British insurance industry, and that thousands of lives are lost every year because of hurricanes? If there can be international liaison over locust control, surely there can be international collaboration in lessening hurricane damage.
§ Mr. ShoreI should like to look at that, but I can tell the hon. Member that the Building Research Station has prepared model building regulations for small buildings, which are shortly to be published, and that it is the small buildings, I am informed, which are the greatest problem rather than the large structures, which are generally quite adequate.