§ 26. Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will convene a conference of those local authorities and new towns facing substantial repair bills in respect of system-built houses and flats and the extent to which Government financial assistance is available.
§ Sir George YoungNo. I do not believe that a conference is the right answer. I have recently set up at the Building Research Establishment a defects prevention unit. This will allow the exchange of information between local authorities and the BRE and will, I believe, provide a more effective long-term solution to the problems that some authorities now face.