HC Deb 27 July 1978 vol 954 cc899-903W
Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give specific details, including the titles of publications, studies and films, of the work carried out by the National Building Agency for which it was allocated £390,000 grant-in-aid in 1977–78.

Mr. Freeson

Grant in aid in 1977–78 funded the following:

Publications Planning permission—a guide for industry. Organisation and staff resources for area improvement (Part I and II). Selection and implementation of housing action areas—a guide for local authorities. Maintenance procedures for housing associations. Revision of the guidance manual for Self Build Housing Associations previously produced by NBA. Design guide for housing associations on designing for the elderly and handicapped. A series of booklets to be published in 1978 providing an illustrated guide to the regulations and requirements which apply to the design of housing in the United Kingdom. Improvement plans manual to he published in 1978 to illustrate and provide cost and performance data for the improvement of single family terraced houses to assist local autho-

is the percentage income from charges in local authorities in England and Wales for each of the following trading services: passenger transport, concert halls and theatres, markets, slaughterhouses, industrial estates, housing estates, school meals and car parking for each year since 1974–75.

Mr. Guy Barnett

The available information is as follows:

rities and housing associations in assessing urban rehabilitation action. Design guide for Timber Frame Housing to be published in 1978. Technical notes to be published in 1978 describing in detail the methods used in the productivity study.

Studies and advisory work Investigation of industrial developers' problems and preparation of guidance booklet published under cover of DOE circular 37/78 entitled: Planning permission—a guide for industry. Study of local authority management of area improvement published as: Organisation and staff resources for area improvement. Study of methods adopted by local authorities in implementing the Housing Act 1974 leading to advice booklet: Selection and implementation of housing action areas—a guide for local authorities. Study of the experience of housing associations designated by local authorities and the Housing Corporation to work in housing action areas. Study of housing maintenance arrangements by housing associations leading to advice booklet: Maintenance procedures for housing associations. Study of standards and cost of housing maintenance by housing associations in London. Preparation of a training package to enable housing associations to make the best use of their housing management staff in the housing maintenance function. Participation in seminars and promulgation among housing associations of programming aids for the rehabilitation of housing. Study of pre-contract delays to the rehabilitation process in housing action areas in Scotland. Assessment of future demand on the construction industry in South Wales. Development of conceptual and procedural models to assist inner area revitalisation in partnership and programme authorities. Study of funding problems associated with housing maintenance by owner occupiers in relation to the problem of the increasing incidence of disrepair evidenced by other studies. Survey of local authorities and contractors experience in the use of design and build tendering procedures to determine whether these procedures are satisfactory or could be improved. Completion of study for DoE of house shells for two or three person households. Seminars for local authorities and housing associations in Wales to disseminate studies undertaken. Help and assistance to Self Build Housing Associations. Study of small housing schemes to establish whether difficulties are being encountered in meeting yardstick costs. Seminars for housing associations on damp-proofing and wood preservation in rehabilitation. Study for DoE of methods of achieving energy conservation in old persons dwellings. Study of methods and the effect on cost of increasing thermal insulation in traditional construction. Study of the problems of development of reclaimed land. Access and landscaping in high density housing. Survey of car parking requirements in sheltered housing. Analysis of resource implications of the Welsh house condition survey. Analysis of single family terraced houses to illustrate improvement options and giving cost and new performance information to assist local authorities when planning urban rehabilitation action. Completion of the first part of a study of methods of sound insulation to floors and separating walls in rehabilitation properties. Report to Scottish Development Department on theresults of a productivity study of man days in the building of traditional housing.

Film Our Liverpool Home".

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average number of staff employed by the National Building Agency during each of the years 1974–75 to 1977–73 respectively; and what is the current figure.

Mr. Freeson

The average number of staff employed by the National Building Agency was as follows:

1974–75 164
1975–76 215
1976–77 231
1977–78 218

Two hundred and thirty-seven staff are currently employed.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment who are the present members of the board of the National Building Agency; when each was appointed; what fee they receive; when the level of fee was fixed; and how many times a year the board meets.

Mr. Freeson

The members of the board of the National Building Agency, with their date of appointment, are:

  • Mr. P. Dunican CBE, C.Eng, FICE, FI Struc E, Chairman 1st April 1978, Member 16th March 1964.
  • Mr. D. Llewellyn FIOB, Dy. Chairman 1st September 1977, Member 16th February 1968.
  • Mr. T. M. Williams AA, Dipl. RIBA, Managing Director 7th November 1977.
  • Sir Kenneth Wood BA, FCA, FIOB 29th July 1966.
  • Mr. L. C. Patterson FRICS, FI Arb 1st July 1967.
  • Cllr. H. Lambert OBE 16th January 1970.
  • Mr H. B. Sneddon OBE JP 13th January 1975.
  • Mr. W. A. Gordon Muir MA, FRICS 26th October 1976.
  • Mr. H. D. Stevenson MA 24th May 1977.

Members of the board receive fees of £500 per annum except for the chairman and managing director, who are salaried. The chairman is not currently drawing any salary and that of the managing director, which is at present £11,538, is under review. The directors' fee has remained unchanged at £500 since the formation of the agency in March 1964. The board normally meets 11 times a year.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the actual sum paid in grant-in-aid to the National Building Agency in 1977–78; and what figure has been allocated for 1978–79.

Mr. Freeson

The sum paid in grant-in-aid to the National Building Agency in 1977–78 was £360,000. The grant-in-aid provision for 1978–79 is £406,000.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the fee income earned by the National Building Agency in (a) 1976–77 and (b) 1977–78; and whether any sum was paid by it to his Department in either of those years.

Mr. Freeson

The fees earned by the National Building Agency in 1976–77 were £1,604,389; no sums were paid by the National Building Agency to the Department in respect of fee earnings during that year. The accounts for 1977–78 are not yet available.