§ 40. Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the rise in the cost of building, especially of subsidised houses; whether he can explain the causes for such rise; and whether there is any counter action which his Department propose to take?
§ 50. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken, if any, to prevent any further increase in the cost, of house building?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINWith regard to the first two parts of the question of the hon. Member for Blackpool (Sir W. de Frece), I would refer to the reply which was given to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on the 20th instant. I can assure the hon. Members that I keep a careful watch on house building polices, and in cases where local authorities' tenders appear to me to be unreasonably high I decline to sanction loans.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSHas not the right hon. Gentleman made public statements to the effect that there has been a persistent rise in the cost of materials or in the cost of building for the past two years, and does lie not think, seeing that the increase has now reached 11 per cent., he ought to take some steps to prevent any further increase?