HC Deb 09 May 1950 vol 475 cc179-80
16. Mr. McInnes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the average tender price for a four-apartment traditional house in Scotland in 1949 as compared with 1948; and the respective prices for a four-apartment non-traditional house.

Mr. McNeil

The average tender price for a four-apartment traditional house was £1,281 in 1948 and £1,420 in 1949. The prices for four-apartment non-traditional houses outside the Highlands and Islands, recently negotiated by my Department, range from £1,055 to £1,270, compared with a range of from £1,245 to £1,395 last year.

Mr. McInnes

Would my right hon. Friend inform me what action, if any, has been taken by his Department in regard to the report of the Scottish Building Costs Committee towards effecting a reduction in building costs?

Mr. McNeil

If my hon. Friend refers to the non-traditional house, I have given a remit to the Committee.

Commander Galbraith

Do the figures given by the right hon. Gentleman include the cost of the site and of providing the services, or are they merely the cost of building the houses?

Mr. McNeil

No; these are literally costs of erection.