§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the criteria used in determining the terms of the designation order for Smith houses in Leicester with particular reference to the availability of an approved scheme or system of repair; and whether he will make a statement on the position of owner-occupiers of such houses in Leicester.
§ Sir George YoungThe definition of the Smith designated class and qualifying defect were based on the Building Research Establishment's findings. Copies of the BRE's reports on Smith houses are in the Library: these describe the way these houses were constructed and the defects found. The cut-off date specified (19 December 1985) is the date of publication of the BRE's most recent report. My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Construction announced on that day that the government intended to designate Smith houses nationally under the housing defects legislation. That designation is now in force and owners are now entitled to assistance. For assistance via grant aid for reinstatement, Leicester city84W council has to be satisfied that the works proposed deal satisfactorily with the qualifying defect and that the other conditions set out in the legislation are met. I am not currently aware of a Smith repair system yet confirmed as satisfying all those requirements. But I hope such systems will be developed, as they are being for other designated types. If not, or where it would be unreasonable to expect owners to await the carrying out of repairs, the legislation provides for repurchase, at 95 per cent. of defect-free value.