§ 57. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Health if he can give the reason for the increase in the cost of building parlour-houses from £386 in January last to £425 in April; and when he anticipates the cost of building houses will be reduced correspondingly with the cost of living to about 75 per cent. above pre-War prices?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThe increase, due to the actual increase in market price of materials and in rates of wages since January last, is equivalent, on the average, to about £5 10s. per non-parlour house. I hope that with the adoption of the Government's proposals difficulties of shortage of labour and materials will be removed, and that the excess cost may be sensibly reduced.
§ Mr. LAMBERTHow can the Minister of Health say that the increase, due to labour and material, is only £5 10s., when the houses have gone up £40 a piece?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI can only say that that is the amount of increase due to the increase in the price of materials. I have no doubt the other part of the increase is due to the vigorous operation of private enterprise.
§ Viscount WOLMERWhat is the right hon. Gentleman going to do to prevent these prices continuing to rise?
Sir F. HALLAre we to understand that the attitude of the Government is that of being entirely opposed to private enterprise?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI take it that the attitude of those who are questioning the increase in prices is opposed to private enterprise!
§ Viscount WOLMERWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to what the Government propose to do to check this rise in prices?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe question of the Noble Lord is hardly one to be answered at Question time; it is a matter for debate.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the right hon. Gentleman explain why private enterprise has only begun to operate vigorously since he became Minister of Health? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"]
§ Mr. SPEAKERThese points, no doubt, are very interesting, but they are hardly suitable for dealing with by question and answer.