§ 4. Mr. Murtonasked the Prime Minister whether the official statements made by the Minister of Housing and Local Government about rising costs of houses in the television programme Division on 24th May, 1966, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government made no statement of policy on 24th May about house building costs.
§ Mr. MurtonIs it not a fact, however, that in this particular broadcast—[Interruption.]—the Minister of Housing and Local Government said categorically —[HON. MEMBERS:"Reading."]—that within the past five years—[Interruplion.] new house prices have never risen less than 8 per cent. annually—[Interruption.]—and that it has often been 10 per cent.—[HoN. MEMBERS:"Reading."]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We are having too muc'f choir, and not enough solo.
§ Mr. MurtonAnd will the Prime Minister agree that only once before 1964 did the annual rise reach 8 per cent.; and that it was only in 1965 that, for the first time, the historically high figure of 10 per cent. was ever reached? And, indeed, will prices not go even higher this year?
§ The Prime MinisterI have read the statement made by my right hon. Friend. It was not about the policy of future house prices. What he said was that in the last five years there has never been a rise of less than 8 per cent. This is a historic fact and a continuing problem, and one with which we must deal.