HC Deb 03 July 1996 vol 280 cc444-5W
Mr. William O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the levels of competition in building control practices in local government; and if he will make a statement. [35074]

Mr. Clappison

My right hon. Friend's views are reflected in the Department of the Environment circular 1/96, which was issued on 25 March 1996. As is made clear in the circular, it is recognised that it is just a small minority of local authorities whose practices warranted the issue of what is essentially a guide to good practice.

Mr. O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has received to his circular on local authority building control and related services, approved inspectors and uncompetitive practices; and if he intends to publish a report on the response. [35075]

Mr. Clappison

Since the circular was issued, a small number of letters has been received from local authorities. It is not intended to publish a report on the response.

Mr. O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effects of ceasing to charge VAT on building regulations on the work of local authority planning departments. [35076]

Mr. Clappison

It is not the case that local authorities no longer charge VAT on building regulation applications. They continue to charge VAT on the basis of whether or not the type of building work which is to be controlled under the Building Regulations 1991 is subject to competition by private approved inspectors. NHBC Building Control Services Ltd. is currently the only approved inspector. Following recent changes, it may now control developments containing dwellings of any height as well as those containing mixed uses, as prescribed in its approval. Local authorities therefore need to identify building control work which is subject to competition and to charge VAT on it if the applicant chooses to use the local authority's service. Work which is not the subject of competition by approved inspectors will continue not to be subject to VAT.