asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the inspection of building work by building inspectors against statutory building regulations is holding up work; what estimate he has made of the cost of these delays; and what simplification of these procedures the Government intend.

We have no evidence that inspection of works under the building regulations causes delay; under the existing system, construction may proceed if inspectors do not arrive. However, my right hon. Friend has already announced his intention to identify options for radical reform of building control and the inspection of works is among the points under study.