§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce higher standards for materials used in housing construction to ensure their greater resistance to burglary.
§ Mr. YeoThe warranty schemes for new houses operated by the National Housebuilding Council and the Housing Standards Company include requirements relating to basic security measures, such as door and window locks. Housing associations adopt similar standards. In addition, my Department has produced guidance on security measures in both new and existing housing. Research is being undertaken to monitor the effectiveness of these measures, and the results 'will be made available to the British Standards Institution so that they can review the relevant British standards.