§ 89. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why, following the Ronan Point disaster, he was unable to put forward proposals for amendments to the Building Regulations and for grant aid until May and June 1969, respectively; why a decision has not yet been reached on the representations made to him; if he will give an assurance that final decisions on these and related matters will be made before the end of the year; and if he will make a further statement.
§ Mr. FreesonThe technical problem of expressing the concept of "progressive collapse" used by the Ronan Point Tribunal in a way suitable for building regulations has proved very complex. Extensive discussions have been necessary, before the Ministry's proposals were circulated in May, and subsequently, in the light of comments. My right hon. Friend now has the advice of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee and hopes to make amending regulations early in the New Year. An offer of grant in principle was made to the local authority associations last February. Specific proposals could not be made until last June in the absence of information on the potential financial burden. My right hon. Friend expects to reach a final decision on grant shortly.