§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding the designation of Smith houses under the Housing Defects Acts 1984; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GowI have received a number of representations about the designation of Smith houses under section 1 of the Housing Defects Act. The information available is that Smith houses generally do suffer from some inherent defects, but these defects have been present in some cases for many years, have not led to serious damage, and no substantial reduction in value appears to have arisen aas a result. Some Smith houses in Birmingham are defective because of the use of the shale fill in their construction and have suffered a substantial fall in value. This problem is10W not inherent in the Smith system of construction and my right hon. Friend does not intend to designate Smith houses under section 1 of the Act on this basis.