§ Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement on the work of the Building Maintenance Committee since its inception.
§ Mr. ChannonThe Committee on Building Maintenance was appointed in August, 1965, to review the problems of the maintenance of buildings, to make recommendations for improvements in the dissemination of existing knowledge, and to identify priorities for research and development. The Committee's work has
120Wwill list the local authorities which have received loan sanction to build new houses by direct labour since 31st March, 1971, naming the scheme in each case, and indicating the value of the work involved and the number of houses.
§ Mr. ChannonFollowing is the information available to the Department for the period 1st April, 1971; to 24th June, 1971:
led the Department to initiate a series of practical studies on a range of topics including the economic significance of building maintenance, the effects of the present taxation arrangements on maintenance expenditure, the liabilities for defects in buildings, the relationship between design and maintenance, the occupational costs and the performance of buildings improved information systems for maintenance, maintenance technology, improved management methods including incentive schemes particularly for use by the small building contractor. The Committee published an interim report in 1968, thirteen other publications have 121W been issued and the Committee is now preparing its final Report.