§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list in the Official Report the local authorities which have made representations to him asking him to cut Parker Morris standards for new local authority housing;
(2) if, in order to assist local government to cut back on expenditure, he will abolish or amend Parker Morris standards for new local authority housing;
(3) what representations he has had from local authority associations asking him to cut Parker Morris standards for new local authority housing.
§ Mr. FreesonI have had no representations from local authorities or from local authority associations for the general withdrawal of Parker Morris standards for new local authority housing for rent, although there have been individual informal exchanges of views on possible variations in detailed application of these standards, including possible raising of standards.
The application of Parker Morris standards has enabled public authorities to produce good housing accommodation and I am anxious that this should continue. Save in certain circumstances, therefore— for example, where houses are being built specifically for sale, or where a local authority needs to use builders' designs to overcome temporary delays in its programme— I believe it right that the Parker Morris standards should be maintained.