§ Mr. Norrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take to assist private owners of steel-framed houses who face difficulties because of the reluctance of some building societies to lend on properties of this kind.
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§ Mr. GowI have seen reports that in some cases building societies are reluctant to lend on the security of steel-framed houses, although this is by no means always the case. These houses are among the types of non-traditional dwellings built mainly by public authorities. Although there are some isolated reports of the frames of these houses being corroded, there are other reports of them being found in excellent condition. On the basis of present information I see no reason why building societies should be unwilling to lend on steel-framed houses generally provided they are surveyed properly. I appreciate that, because of their non-traditional construc-tion, building societies and their surveyors may find it difficult to establish the condition of property and I have asked the building research establishment to prepare advice on the inspection, maintenance and repair of the various types of steel-framed house. The first of a series of papers on this subject will be published later this year.