§ Mr. TruswellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure local authorities are able to compete on equal terms with the private sector for building control services contracts. [38741]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWider competition between approved inspectors and local authority building control should be a stimulus to greater efficiency and higher standards of service to the customer. To help bring about this result, I am working to devolve the setting of charges for local authority building control to individual local authorities. I also wish to see arrangements put in place for setting and monitoring compliance with common standards of building control applicable across the public and private sectors. I therefore welcome the establishment by the Local Government Association, the Construction Industry Council and the Association of Corporate Approved Inspectors of a Steering Group to draw up recommended standards and monitoring arrangements.
§ Mr. TruswellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in respect of the provision of building control services by private contractors. [38740]
§ Mr. RaynsfordMy Department receives letters from time to time about the performance of approved inspectors carrying out building control functions, as well as about the performance of local authority building control officers.