HC Deb 13 February 1947 vol 433 cc505-6
23. Mr. Derek Walker-Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether it has been possible to assess, in respect of local authority houses, the average amount by which the final cost exceeds, or is likely to exceed, the approved tender prices; and what is the amount per house and per superficial foot.

Mr. Bevan

I regret that information is not yet available upon which such an assessment could be made.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Could the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to get this information, which is of vital concern to the country in assessing the real cost of houses today?

Mr. Bevan

This will probably emerge when we are discussing the subject with the local authorities, and then we shall have much more precise information.

24. Mr. Walker-Smith

asked the Minister of Health the average price per superficial foot of approved tenders for local authority houses, assessed at the latest convenient date.

Mr. Bevan

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples) on 18th July last, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Is the House not entitled to know what these figures are, in order that they can see two things; first, how far the approved tender price has risen since the right hon. Gentleman assumed his present office, and, second, how far the actual cost of houses is above the approved tender price?

Mr. Bevan

The average price of tenders would be misleading, because circumstances vary in different parts of the country. It is easy to obtain from the reports of local authorities what is the level of their tenders in their particular areas Averaging the tenders would not contain any significant information. Furthermore, I do not believe it is in the interests of the nation at the moment that we should state this figure, because building contractors would have a tendency to make it a floor, and not a ceiling.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman's secrecy is far more motivated by a desire to conceal the failure of his own policy in this regard. than by the national interest?