HC Deb 23 July 1973 vol 860 cc1137-9
9. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will consult with local authorities and with the building industry with a view to drawing up a code of good practice in housing developments which will eliminate unreasonable delays in the removal of builders' rubble, the completion of access roads and the provision of effective surface drainage.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

My right hon. and learned Friend has written to my hon. Friend about a particular case. I am making inquiries whether this is a widespread problem. Local authorities already have sufficient powers to deal with nuisances.

Sir A. Meyer

Is my hon. Friend aware that many local authorities, certainly in my part of the country, consider that they do not have adequate powers to deal with the problems arising out of this situation? Is he further aware of the growing practice, first, of what one might call semi-bogus bankruptcies on the part of builders in order to evade their obligations to finish off an estate, and, secondly, of leaving one plot undeveloped on a site in order to enable builders to evade their obligations to finish off the roadway and complete tidying-up operations?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

As I said to my hon. Friend, if this proves to be a widespread problem we will certainly look at it very closely.

Mr. Ellis

Will the hon. Gentleman also consult the National Coal Board about the disastrous situation in the village of Rhosllanerchrugog in my constituency, about which 1 have written to him, where a large area in the middle of the village stands derelict with little likelihood of being built on because of the rules of the board relating to mining subsidence and mine workings at least 200 years old?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

That is another question, but I shall be happy to look into the point which the hon. Gentleman has raised.

Mr. John

May I assure the Minister that the problem raised by the hon. Member for Flint, West (Sir A. Meyer) is widespread and that many occupants of new houses have had the amenities of those houses severely damaged for many months while they have waited for the builders to honour their obligations and to honour the conditions of planning permission?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

As I say, I am making inquiries into whether this is a widespread problem. If it proves to be, we shall not be backward in looking into this question.