The government vowed to press ahead with the introduction of home information packs (HIPs) next week, despite losing a vote in the House of Lords calling for the scheme to be revoked.


Peers backed a Conservative motion last week to scrap the scheme by 186 to 160.



Introducing the debate, Baroness Hanham said: 'Seldom can a government initiative have gone so spectacularly wrong.' Concerns about a lack of home inspectors and the existence of loopholes in the regulations were raised by peers.



But Baroness Andrews, minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), insisted everything had been done to ensure a 'smooth, robust and certain' rollout. HIPs will be required for houses with four or more bedrooms from 1 August.



She told peers: 'The time has come to move positively to welcome practical implementation. The industry has all the infrastructure for producing HIPs; it is ready and waiting.'



A DCLG spokesperson confirmed: 'This vote will not affect the introduction of HIPs and energy performance certificates on 1 August, which are going ahead in the interests of consumers and the environment.'



Law Society Vice-President Paul Marsh said: 'When you're in a hole, stop digging. But the government is ordering more spades.'



Catherine Baksi