§ David TaylorTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had to assess the effect of competition in building control upon the standard of surveying of new buildings; and if he will make a statement. [123217]
§ Phil HopeStarting in 1997, my right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich, then Minister for Construction, had discussions on building control with the Local Government Association, the Construction Industry Council and the Association of Corporate Approved Inspectors. These discussions led to the issue, in July 1999, of the Departmental publication, "Building554W Control Performance Standards", and to the setting up, in May 2000, of the Building Control Performance Standards Advisory Group.
In October last year, my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie), met representatives of the LGA Public Protection Executive to discuss a range of building control issues. My hon. Friend made it clear that the Office is always willing to hear from the LGA, and from other member bodies of the Advisory Group, with any concerns about standards of building control, and suggestions for improvements.