Tender Costs (Frost Damage)

Oral Answers to Questions — Housing – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 7 March 1963.

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Photo of Mr Sydney Irving Mr Sydney Irving , Dartford 12:00, 7 March 1963

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, in approving costs per house, he makes any allowance for the cost of installing a safety valve or similar device for minimising frost damage to water pipes.

Photo of Mr Frederick Corfield Mr Frederick Corfield , Gloucestershire South

My right hon. Friend does not examine tender costs in this degree of detail. Local authorities are free to use devices of the kind mentioned if they think they are likely to give satisfactory protection against frost.

Photo of Mr Sydney Irving Mr Sydney Irving , Dartford

In view of this winter's experience and the disastrously high cost of the damage, is the Minister satisfied that enough local authorities are taking this kind of precaution? If not, what will he do about it?

Photo of Mr Frederick Corfield Mr Frederick Corfield , Gloucestershire South

Since 1950, local authorities have been required to submit with their tenders statements that the dwellings concerned will conform with the provisions laid down in the Housing Manual, 1949, which stresses the importance of protection against frost and of heating installations generally.