HC Deb 22 February 1955 vol 537 cc135-6W
99. Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why it would be inappropriate to reimburse the Birmingham City Council for the cost of soundproofing the floors on the Egghill Estate, Birmingham, following failure of the Building Research Station's specifications; what is the cost involved; and what discussions he has had with the city council on the matter.

Mr. Sandys

A local authority must be responsible for its own decisions on matters within its discretion. In this instance ample guidance was available in the Technical Appendices to the Housing Manual, 1949, which stated the limitations of the method previously described in the Building Research Station Digest No. 15. I have no information as to the cost of the works which the city council has thought fit to carry out. I have had no discussions with the council.