HC Deb 13 November 1979 vol 973 cc548-9W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with the construction industry and allied professions on the building regulations.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Following the speech by my right hon. Friend to the Institute of Housing at Brighton on 22 June 1979, the building control system is being reviewed, and the regulations have been a topic of discussion at various meetings which have taken place with the construction industry and others since then.

Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the provisions relating to means of escape and assistance to the fire service as contained in building regulations part E—section II—of annex 1 to his Department's circular BRA/661/2 are adequate; when these regulations will be adopted nationally; whether he proposes to seek to repeal those clauses contained in county council Bills which specify higher standards; and if he intends that the duties of approval will remain with the district councils rather than with the relevant county council.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The proposals for integrating the requirements for means of escape and for assistance to the fire service are being reviewed in the light of comments from interested bodies. Further consultations would be needed before any regulations could be made. At that stage my right hon. Friend would seek to repeal any local legislation which overlapped with the regulations or imposed more onerous standards. The enforcement of building regulations on means of escape under these proposals would remain the responsibility of the relevant district council.

Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to implement any further sections of part III of the Health and Safety at Work Act, etc. 1974.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

My right hon. Friend has no proposals, at present, to implement more of part III of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 than is needed to introduce fees and extend local authorities' powers to relax building regulations.

Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider the possibility of making a single set of national building regulations which apply to the whole country; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

My right hon. Friend will consider this and other options in his review of the system of building control.