§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement regarding the safety of private houses and flats containing high alumina cement to assist owners to obtain insurance of their property.
§ Mr. FreesonA special sub-committee of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee was set up in April 1975 to examine the safety implications for existing buildings of the use of high alumina cement concrete in their construction, and its report was published last August. The effect of its recommendations is that most dwellings may be considered safe and do not need professional appraisal. The report sets out criteria for establishing the structural safety of other buildings, including the few dwellings for which appraisal is recommended. I am not aware of any recent difficulties in obtaining insurance cover for dwellings containing high alumina cement concrete.