§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to review building regulations to provide better protection for buildings from damage from high winds.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Building Research Establishment has been asked to investigate the damage caused to buildings during recent gales, as a specific task under the research programme sponsored by the Department. A detailed BRE report on this subject will he produced in the near future and BRE has already published guidance on inspection and appraisal of buildings with lightweight roofs with a pitch of 25 deg or less. If the BRE investigations indicate that amendments may be required to the building regulations, proposals will be issued for consultation in the usual way. The Department has also been in touch with the British Standards Institution about the implications for codes relating to the structural stability of buildings.