HC Deb 09 December 1985 vol 88 c470W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities seeking to sell Smith houses.

Mr. John Patten

Copies of the Building Research Establishment's report on the structural condition of Smith houses were sent in December 1983 to all local authorities reported to own houses of this type. We would expect authorities to make available to purchasers any information they had on the structure or condition of these properties.

I will be announcing shortly our conclusions on the designation of Smith houses, together with the findings of BRE's recent investigation of Smith houses in Sandwell.