HC Deb 30 January 1967 vol 740 cc12-3
17. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what increase he expects in the amount of public building in the Greater London area in 1967.

Mr. Prentice

I expect this sector to show an increase in 1967, but it is not possible to forecast its precise size.

Mr. Goodhart

Is the Minister aware that grave doubts are arising about the accuracy of some of the figures for council house approved tenders in Greater London recently issued by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government? Is he aware that in the Borough of Bromley a tender for 256 dwellings has been wrenched out of the 1967 programme and put into the 1966 list, which gives a totally misleading picture?

Mr. Prentice

No, Sir. I do not think there is any doubt about the accuracy of the list of approvals. As I understand it, criticism was made by Conservative members of the G.L.C. that these were approvals and not starts. They are an indication of housing activity this year, which was the point of the hon. Member's original Question. These approvals in 1966 show a 50 per cent. increase over 1964 and indicate the enlightened and progressive management under which the G.L.C. and most London Boroughs operate.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the astonishment with which my constituents and I look at the development of Knightsbridge Barracks for the use of the Forces when there is a grave shortage of building in the Greater London area?

Mr. Prentice

Soldiers are people, and need to be rehoused as well as others. We are not building housing accommodation for horses but for people. There has to be a housing programme for the Forces in London and in other parts of the country.

18. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is satisfied that there will be no shortage of building materials needed to carry out the public building programme in the Greater London area in 1967; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

Yes, Sir. There is at present an adequate supply of virtually all building materials in the Greater London area.