HC Deb 16 December 1969 vol 793 cc1122-3
36. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received with regard to the present difficulties in the system building industry; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Freeson

My right hon. Friend has had a useful discussion last week with representatives of the system builders. He has recently reminded local authorities by circular of the competitiveness of industrialised building, for low and medium rise construction as well as high-rise. He will take other opportunities that occur to remind authorities of the need to take industrialised building fully into consideration in deciding on particular schemes.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

Has the Minister brought forward the economic case of industrialised building?

Mr. Freeson

I certainly do not wish to do so at Question Time. But the economic case has been fully argued in the past. It is a matter for discussion between local authorities and the system builders themselves. We wish to encourage the use of this technique as well as others to build up the housing programme which is flagging in the local authority sector.

Mr. Hooley

Does not my hon. Friend think that there are far too many different systems and that perhaps in the past the taxpayer has been required to finance experiments which were more expensive than useful in terms of the housing programme? Would he take steps to discourage the proliferation of different systems?

Mr. Freeson

On the central point about the proliferation of systems and their adequacy, this has been one of the main jobs of the National Building Agency and it has been pretty effective. One of the results has been to reduce to some degree the number of systems in operation. I would not be too categorical about this because I am not a technical man, but I would think that there is still room for further reduction in the number of systems and their general improvement.

Mr. Spriggs

Will my hon. Friend consult the local authority building departments about their experiences with this type of building material?

Mr. Freeson

Our regional officers are in touch with local authorities on this matter, as are the staff of the National Building Agency.