HC Deb 19 June 1979 vol 968 cc469-70W
Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to continue with the programme to renew public sewers in the United Kingdom; and what this programme will cost.

Mr. Fox

There is no national programme to renew public sewers. Water authorities are responsible individually

interim list of approved materials for loft insulation under the Homes Insulation Act will be made available to local authorities; why this has not yet appeared; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The development of appropriate tests for products which have recently become available in this country has taken longer than had been anticipated. Matters have been further complicated by changes by manufacturers in the formulation of their products after initial submission to the Agrement Board. In the circumstances, we have concluded that there is little value in publishing an interim list under the arrangements notified by the Department on 16 October 1978. It remains our intention later this year to prescribe acceptable products for the purposes of the homes insulation scheme in the light of tests now being carried out by the Agrement Board and the British Standards Institute.