§ David TaylorTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the system for ensuring compliance with the building regulations in the construction of new houses. [148880]
1199W
§ Phil HopeA person intending to build a new house must either apply to the local authority's building control department or they must engage an inspector approved under Part II of the Building Act 1984. The local authority or the approved inspector will then check the plans and the building work for compliance with the Building Regulations.
§ David TaylorTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what recent representations he has received from the Building Control Performance Standards Advisory Group; [148973]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Building Control Performance Standards Advisory Group on the effect competition has had on standards in building control. [148974]
§ Phil HopeNo recent discussions have taken place with the Building Control Performance Standards Advisory Group nor has the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received any representations from them. The Group are welcome to raise with me, at any time, any matters relating to standards in building control.
§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his Answer of 5 January 2004,Official Report, column 142W, on the fenestration self-assessment scheme, how large the sample of work monitored to ensure compliance with building regulations is; and if he will publish the report on compliance. [148978]
§ Phil HopeThe Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA) routinely monitors annually 1 per cent. of the work of its member firms, with a minimum of two inspections per year. Where an inspection shows that the work has not complied, the rate of inspection for that firm will be increased. Extra inspections are also carried out in response to complaints that work does not comply. Local authorities retain their right to inspect work carried out by registered FENSA installers and to take enforcement action against them where appropriate. Local authorities will use these powers in response to a complaint.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's report on compliance is available on the ODPM website. Copies are also available in the Libraries of the House.
§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish the results of studies into pressure testing of homes to assess whether requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations are being fully implemented. [149364]
§ Phil HopeThe current requirements in Part L for the airtightness of new homes came into effect on 1 April 2002. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will publish the results of pressure tests on a sample of new homes built to these standards in support of the consultation on the proposals for the next major revision of Part L, planned for this summer.