§ 26. Mr. Allasonasked the Minister of Public Building and Works why the Explanatory Memorandum on Fire Stairs Space and a General Index, necessary to the understanding of the Building Regulations, 1965, was published only one day before the regulations became operative.
§ Mr. BoydenThese explanatory memoranda are an aid and not a necessity for the understanding of the Building Regulations. It was necessary to give first priority to work on the Regulations themselves and the general introductory guide, which were published in July.
§ Mr. AllasonIs it not a fact that architects have found extreme difficulty in interpreting the Building Regulations without this memorandum? Would it not have been better to have published the memorandum some considerable time before the Regulations came into effect, even if it meant postponing the introduction of the Regulations, in order to ensure that they are properly understood?
§ Mr. BoydenIn reply to the first part of the question, the answer is, no. The preparation of the technical memorandum required as much care as the Regulations, and accuracy could not be sacrificed for speed.
§ 32. Mr. Channonasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is satisfied that all the statutory consultations required before making any building regulations were fully carried out in the case of the Building (First Amendment) Regulations, 1965; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BoydenAs I said on 21st February and again on 24th February in this House—Yes, Sir.
§ Mr. ChannonDoes not the hon. Gentleman think it a little curious that these Regulations have attached to them the statement that they were made after consultation with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee when, as the hon. Gentleman said earlier, they were not?
§ Mr. BoydenThe first amending Regulations consisted of corrections of errors detracting from the intended effect of the proposals endorsed by the Committee and embodied in the main Regulations. No new points of substance were contained in the amended Regulations and my right hon. Friend was given legal advice that there was no need for him to have fresh consultations to comply with the Statute.
§ Mr. Graham PageIs not this a serious matter? The Act with authorises the regulations requires the Minister to consult the Building Advisory Committee before making any Regulations. Has it not now been admitted that he made no such consultations? Are not the Regulations ultra vires, therefore?
§ Mr. BoydenNo, Sir.