HC Deb 07 March 1966 vol 725 cc1697-8
21. Mr. Peter

Walker asked the Minister of Public Building and Works on what date he expects the machinery for building licence applications to be in operation.

The Minister of Public Building and Works (Mr. Charles Pannell)

I hope to make a statement about building control tomorrow.

Mr. Walker

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been considerable frustration amongst business men who have been trying to apply for building licences and have been told that there is no machinery by which they can do so? Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that in his statement there is reference to some facility for making application?

Mr. Pannell

The hon. Gentleman should be aware that I made a statement on 1st November and there can have been no dubiety about the situation since then. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I have already this morning had this out with somebody who felt the same as the hon. Gentleman does, and who is very interested in this matter. People have either had a definite negative or an affirmative. One could not be straighter than that.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Why could not we have had the statement today? Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the situation to which the statement of 1st November related is not the same as the situation today, because alterations have been taken out of the Bill? Does not the right hon. Gentlemant remember telling us that it was so vital that the Bill would be the first to be introduced in the Parliamentary Session? It then started 21st in the race and now, owing to the Minister's humiliation by his colleagues, it has been scratched altogether?

Mr. Pannell

I cannot imagine what sort of people would humiliate me. I am not the sort of Minister who takes humiliation, anyway. I can only tell the hon. Gentleman that what is dimly apparent to him has always been daylight clear to me.

31. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will now make a statement about the position arising from the abandonment of the Building Control Bill.

Mr. C. Pannell

Yes Sir. I hope to make a statement tomorrow.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we look forward to the daylight which he will throw on the subject?