§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) what studies his Department is carrying out into the need for continuity of demand and production of industrialised systems and components in order to justify the capital investment involved; when those studies will be finalised; and when a report will be published;
(2) what studies he has commissioned into the integration of design with production of system building, involving the appointment of the contractor from the design conception stage working in parallel with the various design consultants; whether the studies will be finalised; and whether a report will be published.
§ Mr. Mellish:My Ministry has carried out a number of development schemes in which special methods were used for the early selection of a contractor to enable him to partake in the design process. A 528W report on the method used for selection of the contractor has been published by H.M. Stationery Office (Code S.O.67/226) and a report on the design stage is under preparation. The need for continuity of demand and production in industrialised building is well known and no studies are needed to establish it.