§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many representations he has received(a) in favour and (b) against the recommendations of the Latham report; and from which organisations; [18059]
(2) how many representations he has received (a) in favour and (b) against the recommendations of the Latham Report; and from which organisations. [18056]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesWe have received some 150 letters from all sections of the construction industry—particularly from specialist contractors. They have been uniformly supportive of the recommendations of the Latham Report.
§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which recommendations of the Latham report he plans to implement. [18057]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesWe have already made my Department the lead Department for progressing the recommendations in the report. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has established a scrutiny of Government's own procurement designed to ensure that1282W Government can be a best practice client. We have established and received the report of the review implementation forum and, on its advice, my right hon. Friend has established a construction industry board, chaired by Sir Michael Latham, which brings together all parts of the industry, its clients and relevant government departments. Also on the advice of RIF that there was majority support for the legislative proposals in Sir Michael's report, my right hon. Friend has announced that he intends to publish detailed consultation documents on these matters. The majority of the Latham report recommendations are, however, directed at others and we have been active in urging all parts of the industry to address those recommendations.
§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to bring forward legislation on construction standards. [18055]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesAmendments to part L and part F of the building regulations will come into effect on 1 July 1995.
Consultations on possible amendments to part M are currently under way.
My right hon. Friend hopes to issue consultation papers shortly on the legislative proposals in Sir Michael Latham's report "Constructing the Team" HMSO: July 1994.