§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to protect occupiers of houses against builders who deliberately lay a low grade of concrete paths and driveways, resulting in environmental pollution arising from a serious deterioration of the surface.
§ Sir George YoungContractors providing work and materials are under a legal obligation to use materials of merchantable quality which are fit for their purpose and, unless it is agreed to the contrary, the work must be carried out with reasonable care and skill.
The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, which becomes fully operational on 4 July, codifies these obligations. I believe these civil law provisions to be adequate and therefore see no reason to seek new powers for my right hon. Friend at this time. In addition, the National House-Building Council warranty provides purchasers of new houses within the scheme with protection for two years, should concrete paths and driveways prove to be inadequate for their purpose.