§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last carried out an overall review to consider the need for retaining unchanged both the Agrément Board and the National Building Agency and to identify areas for savings in expenditure and manpower in both cases; and what conclusions he reached.
§ Mr. StanleyThe Agrément Board has been subjected to an extensive review. As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Latham) on 25 January 1980—[Vol. 977, c. 392]—the Government have concluded that it should remain independent. The Agrément Board contributes towards the prevention of building defects, and it may have a part to play in the new system of building control as proposed in paragraph 10 of Cmnd. 8179. I shall continue to maintain a close scrutiny over the board's manpower and grant-in-aid.
The Government have also considered the role of the National Building Agency. My right hon. Friend wrote to the chairman of the agency on 16 September to indicate that, subject to an appraisal of the costs of closure, he proposed to withdraw Government support from the NBA and to invite the board to close the agency. A further announcement will be made shortly.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for The Environment if he will make a statement as to the representations he has received with regard to the proposals to withdraw funding from the National Building Agency; and what his response has been.
§ Mr. StanleySince my right hon. Friend wrote to the chairman of the agency on 16 September he has received representations from the hon. Members for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Mr. Roberts), and Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Brown) the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the London Borough of Hackney, the Housing Centre Trust, the Board of the Agency and a former employee; and he has met a delegation from the Institution of Professional Civil Servants representing staff of the NBA. My right hon. Friend expects to announce his final decision shortly.