§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has 213W commissioned on the additional building costs involved in extending part M of the Building Regulations to improve access to new housing; who will be consulted in the course of that research; and when he expects it to be completed. [8293]
§ Mr. ClappisonMy Department has not yet commissioned any such research, but we have agreed to undertake a joint study with the House-Builders Federation on the additional building costs involved in extending part M of the Building Regulations to improve access to new housing. To this end, officials have written to eight local authorities to ask for their help in selecting suitable schemes for the study. Once all the authorities have replied, the Department will be in a position to commission the research and establish a date for its completion.