§ 30. Mr. Burtasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the Government doing to help protect home owners against cowboy builders.
§ Mr. John PattenTo help prevent the problems caused to many thousands of home owners by the activities of so-called cowboy builders, I am setting up, with the National Home Improvement Council and Care and Repair Ltd., 50 new centres that will offer practical advice and help, particularly to the elderly, about finding reputable builders and ensuring that work is carried out satisfactorily. The Government are meeting half the £6 million cost of this project. I have also set up a working party to look at the many problems associated with smaller building works. The working party will focus particularly on steps that might be taken by the industry to improve its performance in this area. I have asked it to reply by the end of the year.