§ 36. Mr. Kirbyasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that tenders for the building of houses received by the Liverpool Corporation in recent weeks have shown a big advance in the cost per house, and that other local authorities are experiencing the same upward tendency in their tenders; to what extent such increases are due to shortage of building materials as a result of the Government's rearmament programme; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent profiteering in building materials?
§ Sir K. WoodI am aware that in Liverpool and other parts of the country there has been a tendency for building prices to rise. I have no reason to suppose that this is primarily due to the reason suggested in the second part of the question. The position with regard to building materials is being closely watched by the inter-departmental Committee on the Prices of Building Materials with which I am, of course, in close contact.
§ Mr. James GriffithsHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a statement made by the president of the British architects, in which he gave the opinion that the prices that are now being charged are completely unreasonable, and that there is no justification for them?
§ Sir K. WoodI have not seen that statement, but I am naturally anxious to 1161 see prices as low as possible. The Liverpool Corporation have already turned down one set of tenders on account of price.