HC Deb 20 March 1947 vol 435 c576
28. Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Health if the increased maximum price of £1,300 for houses built by private builders outside the London region will apply to houses not commenced before 25th February, and not only to those not licensed before that date.

Mr. J. Edwards

Conditions which have been attached to a licence already issued cannot be varied, but where a licence is no longer valid, because building has not started within the prescribed time limit of two months, it would be open to a local authority to vary the conditions in issuing a new licence.

Mr. Lipson

Will not my hon. Friend go a little further and adopt the suggestion made in the Question, in view of the fact that building costs will be the same in both cases?

Mr. Edwards

I am sorry that I cannot agree to the suggestion in terms, but since, in fact, it is unlikely that very much new housebuilding has been started in the recent weather, I think there is a chance for builders, with good will on the part of the local authorities, to put themselves right.

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