HC Deb 11 January 1978 vol 941 cc1661-2
17. Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now abolish or revise the Parker Morris standards for housing.

Mr. Freeson

We will not abolish the standards, but, as stated in the Green Paper on Housing Policy, we believe there is a need to introduce greater flexibility into their application, and we will consult the local authority associations about this.

Mr. Smith

I am glad to hear that. Is the Minister aware that these standards were laid down as minima, but that more and more local authorities appear to be interpreting them as maxima? In view of the difficulties, which I am sure the Minister appreciates, particularly over such things as the need for alternative heating systems, will he do what he can to speed up this study?

Mr. Freeson

I take the hon. Gentleman's general point. Indeed, his specific example is very much in my mind. Briefly, I should like to see a system in which we provided for a range of options for standards and gave greater flexibility to switch from one element of expenditure to another in different kinds of housing, if need be, giving a council the authority to improve on heating, if it is prepared to forgo other provisions. We are still working on this matter and shall be having consultations about it.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that in creating this flexibility we do not encourage a reduction in standards? Will he remember that we are suffering today from reductions in standards that were approved and brought in by the Conservatives years ago?

Mr. Freeson

This is a great worry to me in any system of flexibility that we introduce. I shall bear it closely in mind. In introducing flexibility, we must not risk a runaway erosion of standards. I am certainly intent on avoiding that.

Mr. Michael Morris

But is not the real question not a reduction of standards but the wrong standards? The present Parker Morris standards are putting increased costs on tenants and local authorities. Is the Minister really saying that we shall have further discussions about this, when there is concrete evidence and there are proposals for change that have been on the table for a long time?

Mr. Freeson

Various views have been expressed about the standards. The hon. Gentleman is taking a contrary view to that of his hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Smith). As I understand the hon. Gentleman, he is suggesting that the standards are too high and that there should be a genuine reduction. I do not accept that.