Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of desktop studies in determining fire safety compliance within building regulations.

Dame Judith Hackitt’s interim report recommended that the Government should restrict the use of desktop studies so that they are only used where appropriate, with sufficient test evidence and where those undertaking the assessment are able to demonstrate suitable competence. The Government will consult on proposals to implement this recommendation shortly.