§ 53. Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Agriculture how many M.A.F. agricultural buildings are at present in 37 course of construction; how many have been completed; how many have been sold and are awaiting delivery; how many have been erected; and if he will make a statement on the success of this scheme.
§ Mr. G. BrownI am informed that sales of M.A.F. building components to farmers to the end of October amounted to the equivalent of 1,250 buildings each 60 ft. by 18 ft., and orders awaiting delivery represented a further 300 such buildings. The numbers of buildings completed and under construction are not readily available. Sales are increasing steadily and I am satisfied that the scheme is meeting a long-felt need.
§ Commander MaitlandCan the hon. Gentleman say why these buildings are so expensive, because, as he is no doubt aware, the general criticism about them in the country is that they cost far too much and compare very unfavourably in price with similar buildings produced by private enterprise?
§ Mr. BrownI do not know why hon. Members say "Hear, hear," because the whole point of the scheme is that the production, distribution and everything else about these buildings is done by private enterprise. The answer about price is that we have made inquiries into the complaints, and almost in every case it is the local charges for erection that are high and not so much the charge for the building. If we take like for like—buildings that are alike but made in another way—the prices are not high.