§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which organisations have responded to the draft circular "Local Authority Building Control and Related Services-Approved Inspectors-Uncompetitive Practices"; which organisations supported the publication of the circular; which organisations advised against its publication; and if he will arrange for the responses to be placed in the Library. [12521]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesThis was a limited consultation rather than a full public consultation, and in such cases it is not the Department's normal practice to make the responses public by placing them in the Library of the House. Therefore, no statement was made in the consultation letter about publication of the responses, and consultees were not asked whether they wished their replies to be kept confidential. I am not prepared to put the responses in the Library.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the chairman of the National House Building Council about the draft circular "Local Authority Building Control and Related Services-Approved Inspectors-Uncompetitive Practices". [12523]
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§ Mr. JonesMy right hon. Friend has not discussed this circular with the chairman of the National House Building Council.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what complaints he has received about alleged uncompetitive practices in the provision of building control services by local authorities in the last three years; and if he has verified the allegations with the authorities concerned. [12522]
§ Mr. JonesI have received a number of complaints about alleged uncompetitive practices in the provision of building control services in the last three years. They were made in strict confidence, and undertakings were given that this would not be breached.