HC Deb 15 July 1969 vol 787 cc394-6
23. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what research he is doing into problems of condensation in new houses.

Mr. Loughlin

None at present. Condensation can be largely avoided in new houses and cured in existing houses by the application of existing knowledge. We are trying hard to inculcate good practice in the design, construction and maintenance of houses.

Mr. Dalyell

Would not work on condensation at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, prove useful?

Mr. Loughlin

Research on condensation has been done at the B.R.S. We think that we know what the problem is and what the solutions are. If we find, in the light of experience, that we need to do further research, I think that we can do it at the B.R.S.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Is it not a fact that British experts have assisted the United States space people in solving the problem of condensation in their space research ships, yet council houses in Macclesfield are full of condensation throughout the year?

Mr. Loughlin

What the hon. Gentleman has said in the first part of his supplementary question may be true. Where a local authority has this problem, if the hon. Member concerned will get in touch with me I will do whatever I can to assist the local authority.

Mr. Frank Allaim

How is it that on the Continent they have been able to build multi-storey flats for 50 years without this trouble? Is my hon. Friend aware that all over the country in new council flats clothes, furniture and food are going green with mould because of this problem? Some of the tenants feel that if the architects and building contractors were forced to live in them they would not design houses and flats like them.

Mr. Loughlin

I would not accept that this problem is peculiar to this country. The Department cannot be held responsible for the actions of everyone in the building industry, but it is trying to help to solve a problem that has arisen. We now have the knowledge. We go to the nth degree to get this knowledge across. I repeat, if any local authority wants assistance we will try to help.

Mr. Costain

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that one problem is that people accept the need to run in a new car but not properly to ventilate a new house?

Mr. Loughlin

It may be that the biggest problem with condensation is that we have attempted to concentrate our design on the basis of maximum comfort and have eliminated a great deal of natural draught.

Mr. Crawshaw

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Liverpool some blocks of fiats built as recently as three years ago have had to be vacated while this problem is eradicated? Some people feel that as contractors make their money from these jobs they ought to put this problem right without the local authorities being involved in extra expenses.

Mr. Loughlin

I cannot get myself involved in a dispute between contractors and local authorities. All that we can do is to help the local authorities where possible.