§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities about the safety of high-rise blocks of industrialised built flats; and what steps he is taking to monitor resulting action by local authorities.
§ Mr. FreesonI am aware of reports about structural defects in blocks of flats built using a particular type of concrete wall frame. The manufacturer has been in direct touch with the relevant local authorities. No additional advice was issued by the Department of the Environment, but architects in our regional offices have helped to ensure that the authorities were kept informed. We remain in touch with both through the firm and through our regional architects.