§ Mr. Mitchisonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that to check building contracts the local housing authority requires full information on alterations of specification before or as soon as they are notified to contractors with large-scale architects' and engineers' plans; how many alterations to specification without previous notice to the housing authority have been made since a contract for 250 B.I.S.F. houses at Corby was let; how many clauses of the specification were affected by these; when the housing authority and the building contractors were respectively notified of them; how many alterations were described to the authority by reference to an amended drawing with no copy supplied; and what steps will be taken to give the authority the notice they require.
§ Mr. J. EdwardsMy right hon. Friend is aware that local authorities require adequate information in order to supervise building contracts and all local authorities with an allocation of B.I.S.F. houses have been supplied with full specifications, and amendments and a set of architect's drawings on a reduced scale. The original specifications had to be revised because of shortages in certain materials. Sixty-six clauses were involved. Full details were sent to local authorities on 29th January, 1947, but they had already been informed of the major variations as these were decided. Contractors received the amended specifications on 15th January. A small number of the amendments refer to engineering drawings which are not considered necessary for local authorities and have not been supplied to them. Arrangements are now in force to ensure that local authorities and contractors are notified simultaneously of any amendments.