§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the operations of the NHBC. [43868]
§ Mr. RaynsfordIn the last year I have received representations concerning some 35 cases involving the NHBC Buildmark warranty scheme, some of which also involved NHBC in its capacity as an approved building control inspector. From these representations and other sources I am aware of the dissatisfaction with the way the Buildmark scheme sometimes operates. That is why, on three occasions in the past year, I have met the Chief Executive and other senior staff of the NHBC to hear progress with their Buildmark review. I am awaiting a further update from them on action to improve the operation of the scheme. As regards building control, I have welcomed the setting up by the Construction Industry Council, the Local Government Association and the Association of Corporate Approved Inspectors of a steering group to draw up recommendations on a common performance standard applicable to private sector approved inspectors and to local authority building control officers.