§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research the Government have commissioned into alternative glass suppliers that will meet the criteria set under S.I. 440. [51434]
§ Dr. Whitehead[holding answer 19 April 2002]: The Department has not commissioned research into alternative glass suppliers. However through contacts with glass manufacturers the Department has been informed that there are at least three companies supplying types of glass in the UK that enable window manufacturers to achieve the technical performance standards of Part L of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/2531) as amended by the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (S.1. 2001/3335).
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if there will be exemptions for listed buildings where the design of windows could make it difficult to comply with the regulations under S.I. 440. [51437]
§ Dr. Whitehead[holding answer 19 April 2002]: S.I. 2002/440 does not set any technical standards. It enables self-certification by prescribed persons for certain types of building work. With regard to windows, S.I. 2002/440 introduces a new Building Regulation that enables members of the Fenestration Self-Assessment (FENSA) Scheme to self-certify their installation work complies with the applicable technical requirements. FENSA members may certify that work consisting only of the installation, as a replacement, of a window, rooflight, roof window or door in an existing building complies with regulation 4 of the Building Regulations. This regulation requires that the work complies with the applicable requirements of Schedule 1 of those regulations (S.I. 2000/2531, as amended by S.I. 2001/3335).
For building work comprising replacing windows guidance on compliance with the Building Regulations is given in Approved Documents L 1 and L2. This includes guidance on what is reasonable provision for listed buildings. In addition to this, my Department has been working closely with English Heritage on a new 44W publication advising on making reasonable energy efficiency provisions in conservation work. The publication is aimed at building control inspectors as well as builders, and I understand it will be published soon.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total estimated compliance costs are to(a) local authorities, (b) builders of new homes and (c) all installations of new windows in existing houses of Statutory Instrument No. 440 Regulation 16A; and what the average individual cost will be of applying for building regulation permission to comply with S.I. 440. [51431]
§ Dr. Whitehead[holding answer 19 April 2002]: In the regulatory impact analysis we undertook prior to laying the regulations, we considered that there would be no cost to local authorities from the introduction of S.I. 2002–440, as the provisions effectively relieve them of the burden of enforcement through building control. The builders of new homes will similarly not face a cost as the provisions deal solely with the installation of windows, and gas, solid fuel and oil-fired appliances, and plumbing in existing buildings. The cost for all installations of new windows in existing buildings through the need for installers to obtain membership of the fenestration self-assessment scheme was estimated at £1,715,000 against savings of £91,885,000 in the first year There will be no cost for applying for building regulation permission, as none of those registered with these schemes is required to give a building notice and pay a fee, in relation to carrying out work for which they are registered, and which is permitted not to be notified in the circumstances prescribed in the S.I.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what enforcement measures will be taken against those who do not comply with S.I. 440. [51432]
§ Dr. Whitehead[holding answer 19 April 2002]: The only offence created by S.I. 440 would be the failure of a person registered with the fenestration self-assessment scheme, not more than 10 days after the building work has been completed, to give a local authority a notice to that effect, or a certificate as evidence that the requirements of regulations 4 and 7 of the Building Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 2531) have been satisfied. Local authorities can prosecute any person that contravenes any provision contained in the building regulations under Section 35 of the Building Act 1984.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the Government will withdraw S.I. 440 and introduce a kitemark system in new windows for the glass and frames that would comply with specified 'U' values for insulation. [51435]
§ Dr. Whitehead[holding answer 19 April 2002]: No. S.I. 440 introduces a new building regulation that enables members of the fenestration self-assessment scheme to self-certify their installation work complies with the building regulations.
There are British Standards Institution Kitemark quality assurance schemes for window products, but none currently covers overall window U-values. More importantly however, as manufactured product schemes, 45W they cannot address the compliance of installation work with the technical and workmanship requirements of the building regulations.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures will be put in place to prevent sole suppliers of hard-coat thermal efficient glass abusing their position to impose unreasonable price increases under S.I. 440. [51433]
§ Dr. Whitehead[holding answer 19 April 2002]: The Department is aware of at least three companies supplying hard-coat thermally efficient glass in the UK. There are also several other international flat glass manufacturers that might seek to trade in the UK depending upon how the market develops. There is therefore no need to put in place anti-monopoly measures.