Sir Ian Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the legal difficulties that make a comprehensive code of building byelaws impossible at present, he will institute an inquiry into the law relating to the regulation of building in Scotland.
§ Mr. J. StuartI have decided that the whole system of building control in Scotland needs examination, and I have, 255W therefore, appointed a Committee with the following terms of reference:
To examine the existing law for the general regulation of building in Scotland so far as it relates to the control of building standards by the Secretary of State and by local authorities; to consider the extent of the jurisdiction exercised by the Dean of Guild Courts as regards building standards; and to recommend what changes may be necessary to secure a control of building standards which would operate as uniformly as possible in counties and burghs, and be flexible enough to take account of the development of new techniques and materials.Mr. C. W. G. Guest, Q.C., has consented to serve as Chairman and the following as members of the Committee:
Mr. C. C. Brownlie, Mr. G. R. Carle, Mr. W. P. Haldane,
Dr. I. A. G. MacQueen, Professor Robert H. Matthew,
Mr. J. M. Mitchell, Mr. T. Rutherford, Mr. J. W. Train, and
Mr. J. M. Vallance.
I hope that the Committee will be able to commence work shortly.