§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the progress, morale and performance of the British Board of Agrément since 21 July 1982.
§ Mr. GowDuring the financial year 1982–83 the British Board of Agrément issued 90 new certificates and renewed 50, about the same number as in the previous year, but the value of contracts received by the board increased by some 50 per cent. over the previous financial year. The Property Services Agency is continuing its policy of giving precedence in specifications to independently certificated construction products, including those with agrément certificates. Other major public sector purchasers have been asked to support this initiative. The Housing and Building Control Bill now before Parliament includes provisions to enable the Secretary of State to designate bodies such as the British Board of Agrément to approve documents providing pracitical guidance on compliance with the Building Regulations. The board has already begun to consider the steps to be taken to prepare an application for designation.