§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he expects to receive the Report from the National Board for Prices and Incomes on architects' costs and fees.
§ Mr. MellishMy right hon. Friend the First Secretary and Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity and I have received the Report, which is being published today. The Government accept, in general, the recommendations of this valuable Report and, in particular, welcome the recommendation that the scale of fees for architects should no longer be mandatory, but subject to negotiation between the parties concerned.
We also welcome the proposal to set up an independent body to give guidance on the recommended, but non-mandatory scale of fees, against the background of which negotiations can take place.
Discussions on the implementation of the Report will be started as soon as possible with all those concerned, including the R.I.B.A. and the local authority associations.