§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the findings of his Department's consultation to extend part M of the Building Regulations to improve access to new housing. [10795]
§ Mr. Clappison[holding answer 13 January 1997]: Given the very high response to the consultation, work on the analysis of the responses is just being completed. In the light of comments made further work is to be undertaken on the compliance cost assessment, and action on this is in hand. The findings will be considered by the 246W Building Regulations Advisory Committee, along with the analysis of the responses to the consultation, prior to officials making recommendations to Ministers. Given the uncertainty of the timing of the outstanding work, it is difficult to give a firm commitment, but I hope that it will be possible to make a statement in the early summer.
§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of his officials are currently working on his Department's consultation to extend part M of the Building Regulations to improve access to new housing. [10794]
§ Mr. Clappison[holding answer 13 January 1997]: There is currently one official working directly on the analysis of the consultation.