§ 34. Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what facilities have been established to provide purchasers of speculatively built houses with protection against misdescription and faulty workmanship.
§ Mr. Freeson:All new houses have to comply with the Building Regulations. In addition about 98 per cent. of all new houses built for sale are covered by the National House Building Council's scheme, which specifies constructional standards and provides for inspection of the work. For houses not covered by the NHBC scheme there is a possible legal recourse for a purchaser under Section 1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972. These measures provide protection for purchasers against faulty workmanship.
As regards misdescription, much of what is written and said in connection with the sale of a house can be checked by a potential purchaser, with professional advice where appropriate.