Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the construction of buildings operated under its remit.

The Ministry of Justice has undertaken an initial review of all the buildings across its estate, and now has a list which require further investigation. Surveys and assessments are being undertaken, which will identify which buildings have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Mitigation and action plans from those assets containing RAAC will then be put in place.

All courts have been certified as safe, following extensive surveys and tests in line with statutory building regulations. Out of over 350 buildings in the HMCTS estate, we have identified six which contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). We are working with specialist suppliers at sites where RAAC is present to monitor each system and work towards removing the material from these sites.

His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service are working with specialist suppliers at sites where RAAC is present to monitor each system and work towards removing the material from these sites.