HC Deb 25 November 1970 vol 807 cc410-1
23. Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will review the number of departmental forms sent to building contractors asking for statistical information with the intention of reducing the number.

Mr. Channon

This matter is under continual review, and the National Consultative Council has this year set up a Standing Consultative Committee on Statistics, which will deal with this matter, among others. This body met for the first time this week.

Mr. Rost

I welcome the Minister's reply that progress appears to have been made, but will he agree that there is not only a surplus of irrelevant compulsory form filling but even a duplication between Ministries? Has not the building industry been lumbered with enough problems by the previous Administration without also having to do surplus form-filling?

Mr. Channon

I have a great deal of sympathy with what my hon. Friend says, and I shall await with interest the report of the National Consultative Council.