Building Byelaws (Height Of Rooms)

42.

Sir H. Sutcliffe
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent uniformity has been obtained as regards the building byelaws of local authorities; and what special circumstances there were in the cases of three out of 126 local authorities in Lancashire which caused him to agree to a greater height than seven feet six inches for first floor rooms.

Mr. H. Macmillan
Uniformity has been attained to a very large extent and I am grateful to local authorities for their co-operation. The special circumstances about which my hon. Friend inquires are smoke-laden humid atmosphere, low sunshine record, and, in two cases, high density. The variation is in respect of ground floor, not first floor rooms.

Sir H. Sutcliffe
While everyone will agree that as much uniformity as possible is desirable, is my right hon. Friend satisfied that every possible consideration is given in his Department to appeals for a greater height made on the grounds of health by certain local authorities?

Mr. Macmillan
Yes, Sir. As my hon. Friend suggests, we have tried to get the maximum of uniformity without disregarding the long tradition of occasional non-uniformity.