§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response he has made to the recommendation of the Cowboy Builders Working Group for a mandatory requirement for builders securing a Government-backed quality mark to provide financial protection for customers. [120551]
§ Ms Beverley HughesI announced on 6 December 1999 that the Government accepted the key recommendations of the final report produced by the Cowboy Builders Working Group, including the requirement that all quality marked builders must provide an approved third-party warranty to protect the consumer in the event that he/she experiences difficulties with the completion of the job or standard of workmanship.
Pilots of the quality mark scheme are being run in Birmingham and Somerset. The Birmingham pilot was opened to applications from builders last month, and will open to the public in June or July. The Somerset pilot will be opened to builders later this month and to the public in September or October. The aim of the pilots is to test and develop the arrangements before we take a decision on a national scheme.