INBRIEF

BOOM CALLS REDLAND

Redland is the examining the possibility of returning to South Africa after withdrawing more than 10 years ago. It hopes to take advantage of the forecast housing boom. Other possible joint ventures being considered are in Argentina, Chile, Brazil and India.

PRIVATE EYE WIDENS

The Department of Transport spent œ477,000 on private investigators in 1995 and œ344,000 in 1994, according to a reply to a Parliamentary question asked by Labour MP Brian Donohoe. The money went on seeking evidence for "possible legal proceedings" against protestors on roadbuilding sites and on processing legal documents.

TWYFORD DAMAGES

Two women won œ17,000 damages from the police last week, following their wrongful arrest at Twyford Down in May 1993. They were demonstrating on a bridge but the arrests were judged to be unlawful because a warrant was needed and the women were not guilty of wilful obstruction in the first place.

MERCHANTS' SALES DOWN

Sales among builders merchants for the months April to June were down by 1.3% when compared with the same period in 1995, according to a survey by the Builders Merchants Federation. Sales were up 3.3% on the previous three months but the rolling 12-month comparison shows a 4.7% downturn.

RIBA POURS COLD WATER

The RIBA has questioned the need for further fire safety legislation set out in a Home Office consultation document. New proposals for Workplace (Fire Precautions) Regulations seek to implement two EU directives. RIBA doubts the need for them and has called for them to at least be simplified.