HC Deb 04 March 1952 vol 497 cc197-8
23. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the amount of loan taken up by local authorities from the Public Works Loan Board for housing purposes since 7th November, 1951; the estimated annual increase in total amount of interest repayments above the rate of 3 per cent. and the increased cost per average dwelling disregarding all subsidies.

Mr. H. Macmillan

The amount up to 22nd February was £49,001,111. So many factors enter into the other parts of the Question that I regret no useful estimate can be made.

Mr. Sparks

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very substantial part of this increase must fall on the local rates, and must also cause increases in the rent of new dwellings?

Mr. Macmillan

This is a problem which, with the best will in the world, the experts in my Department could not readily solve, because there are too many unknowns in respect of such a large variety of things as the purchase of land for the future, draining and all kinds of things. It is impossible to produce the reply for which the hon. Gentleman asked, and, therefore, I gave him the best answer I could.