GROUP REPAIR SCHEMES (Hansard, 8 July 1996)

§ Mr. Clappison
I beg to move amendment No. 41, in page 37, line 14, after 'works', insert `—(a)'.

§ Madam Deputy Speaker
With this, it will be convenient to discuss Government amendments Nos. 42 to 44.

§ Mr. Clappison
The amendments are in response to a proposal put forward in Committee to extend group repair to cover problems of structural instability as well as exterior repairs. As was said in Committee, group repair already allows structural works where they are necessary to give satisfactory effect to other repairs. However, I promised to look again at whether the provisions might be extended to enable the remedying of structural problems where they are not associated with poor repair. The example of a badly leaning chimney was given during the debate.
Amendments Nos. 41 and 42 achieve this by expressly enabling group repair schemes to cover works to render a building structurally stable. Amendments Nos. 43 and 44 explain the sorts of works that can be carried out and make clear that works to render a building stable can include works to the foundations as well as any ancillary works necessary to give satisfactory effect to the main structural works.

§ Mr. Raynsford
Once again, I welcome the Government's amendment No. 41 as it gives effect to proposals that Opposition Members made in Committee to ensure that problems of structural stability could be dealt with in group repair schemes. The Minister has rightly accepted that there was doubt about this under the previous provisions of the Bill. The amendment is necessary to ensure that group repair schemes can cover the necessary works that relate to the structural stability of the properties and to ensure that good value for money is achieved by such schemes. We welcome the Government's adoption of this amendment and we recognise that it will improve the legislation.