§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the absence from the Gracious Speech of any mention of legislation on building control, what proposals Her Majesty's Government have for reform in this area.
§ Mr. HeseltineWe remain firmly committed to the principles we set out in Cmnd. 8179. Although it will not2W be possible to implement our proposals for private certification of building works and for a new system of building regulations this Session, we shall be taking steps under existing powers to simplify the administrative procedures which face applicants for building regulations approval, particularly where small works are concerned. We shall also continue to develop our proposals for private certification as an alternative to local authority building control, and we are carrying forward our review of the building regulations themselves, with the object of simplifying and reducing them.