Communities and Local Government CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Mark Wilkinson

I am the owner of Mark Wilkinson Electrical and work in the electrical and building trade I would like to give my views to help with the inquiry into building regulations.

My current views towards gas works I think is good and does not need to be changed but I feel this is irrelevant as I have no knowledge of gas and this question should be given to a member of gas safe, my views towards electricity Regulations Part P etc I feel should be enforced better and more strict.

I think there are too many governing bodies for electricity contracting examples being the NICEIC (which I am a member of) NAPIT and ELESA it is currently costly to be a member of a scheme witch i don’t see a problem with it is a privilege to be with them not a right.

The electricity certification would be a lot more effective if it was recognised as very few of my clients (all of which are domestic) know what the NICEIC is or understand why they have got a certificate or why they need one this could be easily changed with a electric safe scheme and scrapping all other schemes and having one which is well advertised to the public to allow them to have a better understanding.

In my time as an electrician I have seen many shocking things such as burnt cables which could of very nearly burned houses down but could of been avoided if the correct rated cable was installed. I have also seen DIY works consisting of mains gas run in a garden hose and many other things I am sure the reduction or removal of current regulations would be a big mistake to make and would allow more “cowboys” into the industry therefore increasing accident and deaths caused by gas and Electricity both of which are very dangerous and should be respected.