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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Building Approved Inspectors Regulations 2000 in providing independent and transparent assessment of building plans.

Under provisions in the Building Act 1984 approved inspectors have a duty to inspect plans of proposed building work for compliance and, where required, consult fire and rescue authorities and sewerage undertakers on the plans. Where the plans show compliance and where the person carrying out the work wishes, the approved inspector will give a plans certificate to that effect. A plans certificate is a public document. Regulation 9 of the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010 requires approved inspectors to operate independently. The Government has no plans to change the relevant provisions in the Building Act 1984 or Regulation 9 of the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations.