HC Deb 25 April 1967 vol 745 cc1304-5
26. Mr. Allason

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he has taken to reduce the cost of houses.

45. Mr. Hamling

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further powers he will now seek to control the cost of building houses.

Mr. Mellish

The most effective way to reduce the price of houses is by increasing the supply, and the Government are giving this higher priority than for many years past. My right hon. Friend is taking a number of steps to make sure that houses built by local authorities give good value for money. He is today issuing a circular setting out cost yardsticks based on Parker-Morris standards. My right hon. Friend is introducing a single mandatory floor-to-floor height and he is encouraging better contractual procedures and greater standardisation of components.

Mr. Allason

Does the hon. Gentleman remember the promises of his party in 1964 about reducing the cost of houses? Is he not aware that the costs of houses are steadily rising and that there has been a forecast that there will be a rise of a further 10 per cent. this year?

Mr. Mellish

I am not sure what the hon. Gentleman is now asking for. Does he want the Government to introduce legislation to control the price of housing? If so, he had better get up and say so.

Mr. Spriggs

Has my hon. Friend considered writing off at least a proportion of the heavy financial debts of local authorities to the Ministry?

Mr. Mellish

That is another question. The whole problem of housing revenue accounts—although it is not related to this Question is under investigation by my right hon. Friend.