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The Smith Ladder Limpit Safety System has transformed the ladder from a precarious and rather limited instrument of instability to a solid, stable and safe working station. Its combination of effectiveness and simplicity is comparable with that of the paper clip and, like most clever designs, seems so obvious that it is surprising no one thought of it earlier — ironically, in this instance, they did. John Smith, an owner of a contractor cleaning company, concerned with improving the safety and effectiveness of the ladder, had designed his prototype many years before it was recognised, but until the establishment of the Health & Safety Executive and the British Safety Council, no one was interested in investing in safety. Both of these bodies recognised the potential of the Smith Ladder Limpit System immediately and were of great assistance during the early stages of launching the product. The Health & Safety Executive is currently monitoring the progress of the system and to date, has found nothing to question its integrity.

The full document deals with strategic sustainable development issues which affect the whole country but using examples mainly drawn from England and Wales. Discusses what is meant by sustainable development and how this can be achieved, how progress can be tracked, managing the environment and its resources and its national co‐operation. There will be a further consultation paper shortly covering Scotland.

Opens with a discussion as to whether the ′real thing′ is necessarily better than the ′cheaper alternatives′, and traces the historic rise of alternatives to ′real′ building products. Reviews available substitutes for both slating (i.e. not slate) and tiling (defined as not a tile made from clay). Discusses life expectancy and planning restrictions on substitute products.

The ownership of flats is a post‐war phenomenon — up to the 1950s the normal practice was to take a lease of, say, seven years at a rack rent and, at the end, depending on circumstances, either to negotiate a new lease or, more likely, stay on as a protected tenant under the Rent Acts.

Provides a guideline for an ideal residential structural report, from the point of view of members of the Editorial Board of Structural Survey, discussing the definition of the term ′structural survey′, the position of the client, the preliminary stages, the main body of the report, the conclusions and appendices. Recommends 18 main contents of a structural survey report.

In considering leasehold flats, it should be remembered that the same considerations apply more or less equally to all cases where an occupier of part of the premises has partial responsibility for maintenance of the whole building.

Discusses the new guidance notes for building surveys of residential properties. Details, first, the background to the Building Surveyors’ Division’s new practice note setting out guidelines for surveys of residential properties.

The division between town and country in most areas of the world is marked and shows little evidence of any closer association, but in this country recent history with its wide economic changes has made the division less deep than in times past, but still within living memory. Time was when country folk were almost a distinct breed, living under conditions for the most part primitive.