§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in her schemes to combat cowboy builders; and if she will make a statement. [14361]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 13 November 2001]: I launched the Quality Mark pilot scheme to consumers in Birmingham and Somerset in July. The Quality Mark scheme provides the public with a means of checking 995W technical and other standards of a builder. The public response has been very encouraging. The call-centre is receiving an average of 60 calls a day and the website has had around 12,000 hits since the launch. Quality Mark companies are already starting to see positive improvements to their business. 131 builders and tradesmen have now been approved. 175 companies are in the pipeline with further numbers expected to come forward in the weeks and months ahead. We are continuing to work with leading trade bodies and other organisations to promote access to Quality Mark for their members.
We will be commencing formal evaluation of the scheme with partners early in the new year and expect a report to be submitted to Ministers in February 2002, following which a formal decision will be made about extending Quality Mark to the rest of the country.