asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take, following the Law Commission Report on Civil Liability of Venders and Lessors for Defective Premises, House of Commons Paper No. 184, to make builders more liable for defects in construction.

My right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has the Law Commission's Report under consideration. I have brought my interest in the proposals to his notice, taking account of the existing N.H.B.R.C. scheme and the advice of my Committee on Building Maintenance which has the adequacy of existing arrangements for defects liability in building under review.