§ 40. Mr. Goughasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is satisfied with the National Housebuilders Registration Council certificate as a means of protecting the interests of private house purchasers against substandard building; and whether he would be prepared to take steps to enforce the making good of all defects where such certificates have been issued in respect of houses falling below the minimum standards required.
§ Mr. SandysI am satisfied that the certificate issued by the National House-builders Registration Council provides a valuable means of protecting house purchasers against jerry building. A purchaser, who considers that the builder has not complied with the standards certified, can, in the absence of agreement, submit the issue to arbitration. This is not a matter in which I have any power to intervene.