§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, following his reply on Tuesday 7 April, Official Report, c. 253, he is yet able to announce a decision on the future of his Department's Housing Development Directorate.
§ Mr. HeseltineI have decided to wind up the directorate as part of a wider reorganisation of the housing group. Most of the architects and quantity surveyors will form part of two new divisions, undertaking administrative and professional work in the fields of project control, costs and contracts, and house building practice, including energy conservation respectively. The social research staff and some architects will be integrated into other relevant policy divisions. There will be 16 staff savings. The former head of the Housing Development Directorate will remain the senior architect, housing, will take charge of the central unit for the built environment and will advise more generally on architectural matters within the Department.