HC Deb 20 January 1994 vol 235 cc829-30W
Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution his Department makes to the National House Building Council.

Sir George Young

The National House Building Council receives no financial support from the Government other than through research contracts let to the NHBC through competitive tender. The NHBC is an independent body, and the Government have no general powers to intervene in its affairs. Officials from my Department sit as observers on the NHBC council and on its standards committee.

Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the operation of the National House Building Council; and if he will make a statement.

Sir George Young

In the past two years, the Department of the Environment has received representations concerning the National House Building Council in relation to 37 dwellings.

Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will conduct a review into the operation of the complaints procedure adopted by the National House Building Council.

Sir George Young

The operation of its complaints procedure is a matter for the National House Building Council.

Sir George Young

The Housing Corporation's approved development programme provides homes for rent in two ways: new homes for rent provided by the new rental programme; and new lettings freed up through the tenants' incentive scheme and 60 per cent. of the do-it-yourself shared ownership programme which help existing housing association and local authority tenants to become full or partial owner occupiers. The Housing Corporation estimates that in the next three years, its approved development programme will provide homes for rent within the following ranges:

Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes are covered by the Buildmark guarantee scheme operated by the National House Building Council in(a) England and (b) Wales.

Sir George Young

At the end of 1993 the total number of homes in England and Wales covered by the Buildmark guarantee scheme operated by the National House Building Council was approximately 1.53 million. Prior to 1986, the figures recorded for numbers of homes covered by the scheme did not differentiate between the member countries of the United Kingdom. It is thus not possible to give separate figures for homes under warranty in England and Wales.

Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many building firms participate in the Buildmark guarantee scheme operated by the National House Building Council.

Sir George Young

On 31 December 1993 there were 20,832 building firms registered with the NHBC in England and Wales.