§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has any plans to bring forward proposals for the introduction of a system of logbooks for buildings, with particular reference to their maintenance record and potential hazards; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received from Mr. Chris March of Salford university and Mr. Steve Carwell of Leeds polytechnic about their proposals for a system of logbooks in relation to buildings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierI have received no representations from Mr. March and Mr. Curwell relating to logbooks for buildings, but. I am aware of their study into hazardous building materials. While I am naturally concerned that materials used in the construction of buildings should not have a deleterious effect on the health of users and occupiers, I am not convinced that the introduction of a system of logbooks would be a practical way of dealing with the problem. A study of "Health and the Building Regulations" was undertaken as part of a current review of the regulations, and further work relating to the health effects of indoor pollution is included in my Department's research programme. Some action has already been taken to deal with a number of specific hazards including lead and asbestos.