HC Deb 22 January 1987 vol 108 cc705-6W
Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the number of Reema dwellings in each local authority area, and the number still occupied in each case.

Mr. John Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 21 January, 1987]: A list by local authority areas of the number of dwellings designated under the Housing Defects legislation (including Reema hollow panel) has been placed in the Library of the House.

Information received from authorities about their ownership of later types of Reema dwellings was published in the BRE report "Large panel system dwellings: preliminary information on ownership and condition" (B. R. Reeves 1986) and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library. We have no information on the occupancy of these dwellings.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will treat the problem of Reema construction in the same way as Airey construction, and make special resources available.

Mr. John Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 21 January, 1987]: The pre-1960 Reema hollow panel system has

  • W. S. J. Holdings Ltd.
  • Yelcon Ltd.

Only a limited number of respondents have expressly given consent for their views to be made public. I can, however, summarise the responses as follows:

already been designated under the housing defects legislation. Other more recent types of Reema construction are currently being investigated by the Building Research Establishment and further action will need to be considered in the light of its findings.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a special capital allocation to Leeds city council to enable rehabilitation or replacement of Reema dwellings to take place, and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 21 January, 1987]: Following consultation with local authorities, I announced on 19 December the distribution of housing investment programme allocations to authorities for 1987–88. (Column 748–9.) It is for Leeds city council to determine how best to utilise its HIP resources and any other spending power available to it.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has carried out into methods of rectifying defects in Reema multi-storey flats.

Mr. John Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 21 January, 1987]: The Building Research Establishment is undertaking a major study of large panel systems of construction, including Reema. This will provide advice on how to appraise the condition of large panel buildings and on possible remedial measures. A number of papers have already been published and seminars arranged for local authorities; further reports will follow.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from Leeds city council on the problem of Reema dwellings in the city, and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 21 January, 1987]: My right hon. Friend received no formal representations from Leeds city council about the problems of its Reema stock.