HC Deb 30 January 1967 vol 740 cc16-7
22. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representations he has received from members of the architectural profession about the current state of trade in the building and construction industry; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

Representatives of the architectural profession take part in regular discussions on the state of the industry.

Some letters have recently been received from architects, mainly about the effect on private practices of a change in the balance between the types of work private practices have specialised in and other types of work, particularly work for public authorities which employ their own architectural staff.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Does not the Minister agree that R.I.B.A. commissions are the best indication of the state of the industry? Does he not think that the 16 per cent. decrease in work over the third quarter of 1966, including housing reveals a very shocking state of affairs indeed in the Government's housing programme?

Mr. Prentice

There has been a steep decline in architects' commissions, but, as I said in my original reply, the kind of representations I have had refer to the change in balance between work in private offices and work in public authorities. In public authorities there is still a shortage of architects. Taking the architects' profession over the country as a whole, there is at the moment no shortage of work.

Mr. Frederic Harris

Does not the Minister agree that architects generally throughout the country are indicating a serious situation in the building and construction industry and allied industries which is very serious indeed? What does he intend to do about it? Something must be done to improve the situation?

Mr. Prentice

The most disturbing feature in recent months has been the decline in the starts of new housing in the private enterprise sector. In other sectors of work, including the public sector of housing, there has been an upward trend. A number of things have been done recently which I think should encourage a revival of private housing starts. The reduction of Bank Rate is one. The announcement by the building societies of the extra funds they expect to have available is another. I could go on giving other examples. The Government are considering what further they could do to stimulate this sector.