HC Deb 07 April 1970 vol 799 c216
1. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now take steps to reorganise his Building Regulations Advisory Committee, in order to give the structural engineering profession stronger representation upon it.

The Minister of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Anthony Greenwood)

The present Committee of 15 members includes three structural engineers. To add further structural engineers would upset the balance of the Committee.

Mrs. Short

But in view of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee's performance on the fifth amendment, does not my right hon. Friend think that this Committee should be reorganised? Would he consider reappointing members at rather more frequent intervals than is now done?

Mr. Greenwood

I would not subscribe to my hon. Friend's criticism of the work of the Committee. It has worked very quickly, I think, and very effectively under great difficulties. I will bear in mind her suggestion that the membership should be reorganised more frequently, but I am sure that she will realise that I have to strike a balance between the various professional interests involved, and it would be wrong for me to tilt the Committee in one direction.