§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made with his review of the building control system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe Government have today publshed a Command Paper on "The Future of Building Control in England and Wales", setting out our proposals for the system. Copies have been placed in the Library of both Houses.
The prime concern must be to maintain the high standard of building safety which we enjoy in this country. 439W But subject to that, there is scope for substantial improvement in the building control system. The Government's proposals are in particular designed to produce clearer and more usable building regulations, to exempt minor works which need not be subject to control, to simplify procedures, and to give the industry and the building professions new freedom to regulate their own affairs within the framework of national standards of design and construction.