HC Deb 27 June 1996 vol 280 cc216-7W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he plans to monitor the performance of approved inspectors appointed under the provisions of the Building Act 1984. [34366]

Mr. Clappison

As with local authority building control, the Department conducts no formal monitoring of the performance of approved inspectors.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he plans to allow new approved inspectors appointed under the provisions of the Building Act 1984 to compete in the new house building sector. [34368]

Mr. Clappison

The existing approved inspector— NHBC Building Control Services Ltd.—has in place, as a statutory requirement, a scheme of insurance which has been approved by the Secretary of State for building control work in relation to dwellings. An applicant for approved inspector status who has a similar scheme of insurance approved by the Secretary of State will, subject to demonstrating technical competence and being awarded approved inspector status, be allowed to operate as an approved inspector in the new house building sector.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to appoint further corporate approved inspectors under the provisions of the Building Act 1984. [34365]

Mr. Clappison

The appointment of further corporate approved inspectors is expected by late summer.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what period of authorisation he intends to adopt for the appointment of new approved inspectors under the provisions of the Building Act 1984 prior to a review of their appointment. [34367]

Mr. Clappison

Under the provisions of the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 1985, an approval by the Secretary of State of a corporate approved inspector remains extant until withdrawn. The appointments are not subject to periodic review.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to apply to new approved inspectors appointed under the provisions of the Building Act 1984 the same regime of departmental authorisation and performance monitoring as that applied to NHBC Building Control Services Ltd. [34369]

Mr. Clappison

Under the provisions of the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 1985, corporate approved inspectors such as NHBC Building Control Services Ltd. are approved by the Secretary of State. There is no regime of departmental authorisation beyond the approval process. As with local authority building control, the Department conducts no formal monitoring of the performance of approved inspectors.