asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will substitute his codes of practice, when complete, for existing building regulations and/or model bylaws of the Ministry of Health; and whether they will be made to apply to all towns, cities and rural areas?

I can assure my hon. Friend that every step will be taken to secure the most effective use of codes of good building practice when these are completed. The Ministry of Health is represented on the Codes of Practice Committee, and when the codes are established the question as to what action is desirable will be considered by the two Ministries. Meanwhile, I would emphasise that the first thing is to secure agreement on what is good practice, and to establish the codes.

May I congratulate the Minister——

No.

Why not?

Will the hon. Gentleman consider making it apply to all villages and towns throughout the country?

That is the aim.