Written question asked by Lord Pickles (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 July 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 July 2007. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Monday, 22 October 2007 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Housing: Inspections

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in what manner the Criminal Records Bureau checks for accredited home inspectors differ from those for accredited domestic energy inspectors; and for what reasons.

Answer: The Government consulted and agreed the level of criminal checks for energy assessors with the police. These checks are as strong or stronger than other professions who enter the home like gas inspectors and utility representatives.The basic check is used for domestic energy assessors and the standard check is used for home inspectors. This is consistent with or better than that required in comparable occupations: there must be a reasonable relationship between the checks made and the level of risk based on the access a person is expected to be given.

Secondary information