§ 84. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on action to be taken to improve standards of thermal insulation and prevention of condensation in housing.
§ 92. Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in his review of the 107W question of thermal insulation in housing; when the results are likely to be published; and if he will make a statement
§ Mr. ChannonThe Inter-Departmental review of thermal insulation is well advanced. Its scope has been broadened to consider the question of condensation in dwellings. A survey of condensation in local authority housing has been carried out. When the review has been completed I shall consider the need to issue design guidance to local authorities on the subject of thermal insulation.
§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of those local authorities specifying the use of two inches of thermal insulation in the roofs of new houses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will increase the Parker-Morris standard of thermal insulation to that prevailing in other countries of Western Europe, with a view to reducing the cost of fuel for heating purposes.
§ Mr. ChannonAt present the only mandatory standards of thermal insulation are those laid down in the building regulations, which relate to matters of health and safety. A recent survey has shown, however, that many local authorities build to higher standards of thermal insulation than required by the building regulations. My right hon. Friend is reviewing the need to give any additional design guidance on the subject to local authorities. Appropriate thermal insulation standards depend upon climatic conditions, and uniformity with other countries is not necessarily desirable.