§ Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will seek the views of the Building Surveyors Institute on steps to put an end to jerry-building in formulating Government policy on this matter.
§ Mr. CrossmanI have quite recently, in reply to my queries received some interesting suggestions from the Institute for which I am grateful.
§ Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will make a statement on the Government's plans to eradicate jerry-building.
§ Mr. CrossmanThere would in my view be advantage if the building industry itself took a major part in setting and maintaining satisfactory standards of private housebuilding. I am accordingly proposing as a next step to discuss with the National House-Builders Registration Council how their scheme can be adapted and extended to provide the guarantee of quality which I intend to secure as part of the national housing plan. The Council have shown by recent actions in raising standards, in extending to 10 years the period of guarantee against major defects, and in disciplining286W members who are responsible for bad work, that they are concerned to make their scheme an effective weapon against jerry-building. I shall make a full statement of the Government's intentions when these and other consultations have been completed.