§ 23. Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that a large section of the construction industry is not satisfied that it has been adequately consulted about the new proposed amendments to the Building Regulations covering the thermal insulation of buildings other than domestic; and if he will consider deferring the implementation of these regulations until his Department has consulted further with the industry and redrafted them in a more cost-effective form.
§ Mr. FreesonI am not aware of such dissatisfaction. Consultations about these604W proposals have been very full and in the interests of energy conservation. I do not consider that further delay would be justified.
§ 35. Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he has still not laid before Parliament his proposals for improved thermal insulation standards for industrial, commercial and residential buildings.
§ Mr. FreesonWe need to be sure that this proposed new legislation for non-domestic buildings is clear and enforceable, because it breaks new ground.
§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusions have been reached in his discussions with local authorities and new town corporations on the subject of the insulation of public sector houses.
§ Mr. FreesonA draft circular giving technical and other details of the 1978–79 programme will be sent to the local authority associations and New Towns Association shortly for comment. No consultations have yet been held on the programme for later years.