§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what were the circumstances which led him to arrange for the hon. Member for Hartlepool and officers of the West Hartlepool Borough Council to meet in his Department on the 31st January, 1967; what was the outcome of that meeting; to what extent it saved time in starting on the Hartlepool shopping centre; and what estimated extra costs was the Borough Council relieved of, following the representations made to him at this meeting.
§ Mr. FreesonThis meeting was concerned with the structural fire precautions required under the Building Regulations in connection with the West Hartlepool Central Area Redevelopment scheme. In the light of explanations given by my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Hartlepools (Mr. Leadbitter), council officers and the council's appointed architects agreement was reached about a relaxation of the regulations for the first stage of the scheme. This avoided extra costs of at least £100,000, and several months' delay in starting the scheme.