§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received regarding the Building (Prescribed Fees) Regulations since their introduction; what replies he has sent; and what further action he intends to take in this matter;
(2) whether he intends to lay a new order to correct errors in the Building (Prescribed Fees) Regulations; and, if so, whether he will take the opportunity to produce a new order which effectively meets the public criticisms of the regulations already in operation which have been made by the Royal Institute of British Architects and the House-Builders Federation.
§ Mr. HeseltineI have consulted on a replacement order with strictly limited purposes. It would remove any doubt there might be about the interpretation of one of the provisions of the present regulations and it would disapply penal sanctions for non-payment of building control fees. This replacement order could not be the vehicle for wider amendment of the present scheme.
I will, in October this year, review the working of the scheme to that date to see whether changes are desirable. I will in that review consider the criticisms which the Royal Institute of British Architects and the House-Builders Federation have made as well as other representations made to me since 1 April. It is not possible to summarise those representations here, except to say that most difficulties have been 758W found in connection with the cost estimate which the scheme requires.
If alterations to the scheme are justified, the regulations will be amended after the usual process of consultation.