§ 69. Sir George Mitchesonasked the Minister of Health whether the decrease in building plans approved by the local authorities which make returns on this subject from £12,476,000 in May, 1936, to £9,015,000 in May, 1937, was due to special and temporary causes; and does the information in the possession of his Department indicate the likelihood of any further decline in respect of June?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernays)I am aware of the figures to which my hon. Friend refers, but my right hon. Friend is not in a position to assess the causes of the decline. The figure of £12,476,000 for May, 1936, is the highest figure reached for two years. The average for the year commencing May, 1935, was £9,390,000, and for the year commencing May, 1936, £9,644,000.