HC Deb 09 June 2000 vol 351 cc420-1W
Mrs. Brinton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (l) what representations he has received on the rationalisation of certification schemes for the construction industry; [124704]

(2) which construction industry certification schemes his Department is evaluating; [124703]

(3) what plans he has to rationalise the certification schemes for the construction industry. [124705]

Ms Beverley Hughes

The Department is evaluating two pilots of a proposed quality mark s theme for builders and other contractors working in the domestic sector, which have recently started in Birmingham and Somerset. We will use the experience of the pilots to develop a national scheme and to decide how to roll out the scheme nationally.

During the development of the quality mark, representations were made to avoid duplication with Constructionline, which is the Government's list of approved contractors and consultants for public sector as well as professional private sector clients for non-domestic works. This is why Constructionline is also providing the central services for the quality mark pilots. Further rationalisation would need to take into account the different requirements between domestic and non-domestic sectors and the different levels of expertise and requirements of the clients in the two sectors.