7.39 A new feedback research and information initiative would be much less costly. The introduction of mandatory "BUILD" insurance would be a major factor (see Chapter 11). If the insurance companies became heavily involved in providing ten year cover for commercial contracts in the building sector, they might wish to take steps to raise quality in the industry. In France, an agency72 exists which charges a statutory levy on insurance premiums. The levy is used to improve quality in construction and to publish best practice information. Such a system could be incorporated within the United Kingdom structures, and would provide a potential source of additional finance for a research and information initiative. The annual amount collected through the levy in France is about £2.5 million (source: CIC Discussion Paper). The receipts from a similar system in the UK would reflect the percentage set as levy. There may be an enhanced role for EU funding and co-ordination for construction research, as suggested in the EC/W S Atkins report. There is also a case for making information regarding the contribution made by a company to research and development part of the qualification system for the national register (see Chapter 6).
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72 "L'Agence pour la prevention des de'sordres et I'amelioration de la qualite'de la Construction", founded in 1983, and representing public authorities, insurance companies and "toutes les families du bdtiment" - clients, consultants and contractors.