asked the Minister for the Environment whether the fees for the inspection of new houses in order to qualify under the structural guarantee scheme have been increased by him; and, if so, by how much.

The last adjustment in the fees for the inspection service provided by my Department's inspectorate for the purposes of the structural guarantee scheme was made with effect from 1 April 1980 when a uniform fee of £20 was introduced. Prior to that date a fee of £11 was charged in respect of a house the subject of a certificate of reasonable value and a fee of £25 in respect of other houses.

Is the Minister saying there has been no increase since 1 April 1980 and that no increase is now pending?

There is no increase pending at present.

There has been no change in the situation since 1980?

No.

Fair enough.