HC Deb 11 July 1973 vol 859 cc1497-8
2. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his Department's negotiation to agree on a common European system of codes of practice for major methods of civil engineering construction and materials, including concrete.

The Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Geoffrey Rippon)

My officials are taking part in studies of the technical and legal obstacles to trade in the field of building and civil engineering within a group of experts convened by the Commission of the European Communities. The possibility referred to by the hon. Member is one of a number being explored by this group. It is too early to say what conclusions might emerge from these discussions.

Mrs. Short

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what steps he is taking to ensure the co-operation of the Comité Européen du Béton, which is supported by the Department for the Environment, and in which a large num- ber of eminent engineers and research workers are engaged? What is he doing to ensure that the new British code, which is the basis of the international code of the CEB, is adopted as a basis for a new code of practice?

Mr. Rippon

I appreciate the importance of the organisation to which the hon. Lady refers and I well understand her interest in it. These discussions are at an early stage. What other organisations might be involved is largely a matter for the various international organisations themselves to decide, but we have not yet even reached the stage of negotiations, much less of conclusions.

Mr. Sydney Chapman

Does the Secretary of State agree that it would be a good thing if European countries could agree on a code of practice such as that used in this country, which is universally recognised as the best in the world? Does he agree that with material such as concrete the problem involves not only the composition of the mix but supervision of the process—which is the main reason for the frequency of failure of concrete edifices on the Continent compared with what happens in this country?

Mr. Rippon

It would be helpful if we were to develop an international code of practice for concrete structures and a great many other building materials. I believe we have a great deal to contribute because our standards are among the highest in the world.