Building Regulations Advisory Committee

HC Deb 09 June 1971 vol 818 cc334-5W

Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the terms of reference of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee and how its members are selected; how often the membership changes; how new members are added; how often it meets, and the frequency of its recommendations to the Minister regarding building regulations.

Mr. Amery

The terms of reference of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee are set out at Section 9 of the Public Health Act, 1961, namely, for the purpose of advising the Secretary of State on the exercise of his power to make building regulations, and on other subjects connected with building regulations".

The Section also requires the Secretary of State to consult the Committee, and others, before making any building regulations.

Members of the Committee are appointed jointly by the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Wales. They are mainly drawn from the construction professions, the construction industry and from local authorities.

Appointments to the Committee have hitherto normally been for three years; the appointments of most of the present members expire at the end of 1971.

The Committee normally meets once every two months, and sub-committees are set up as necessary on particular matters. The Committee's recommendations flow from its meetings.