§ 55. Mr. Chapmanasked the Attorney-General when he expects to conclude consultations following publication of the 24th report of Lord Chancellor's Law Reform Committee on latent damage.
§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Patrick Mayhew)The Lord Chancellor's Department has asked for any comments on the Law Reform Committee's report to be sent to it by the end of March.
§ Mr. ChapmanIf it is my right hon. and learned Friend's intention to introduce legislation in this Session of Parliament, he will know that amendment and clarification of the law, particularly relating to latent defects in buildings, is urgently required by all those involved in the process of construction, not least by the owners and occupiers of buildings.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe Lord Chancellor is well aware of the importance that is attached by many people, in the professions for which my hon. Friend speaks, to the contents of the report and to the subject generally. The Lord Chancellor is, however, equally determined to ensure that the public have an opportunity to comment upon the recommendations of the report. He has asked for those comments by the end of March. It is very important that any legislation should not be found to suffer from a latent 17 defect. Therefore, I am afraid that the Lord Chancellor cannot give the undertaking for which my hon. Friend asks.