§ 9. Mr. Channonasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what estimate he has formed of the likely increase in the building and construction programme during 1967 as a result of increased credit facilities recently announced.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe increased credit facilities are intended to stimulate demand. It is not possible to isolate their effects from other factors in the situation.
§ Mr. ChannonWould not the Minister agree that while everyone welcomes those credit facilities they are hardly a dramatic and generous new initiative, since he so misguidedly withdrew them first and in spite of that still expected to reach the target of 400,000 houses in 1965–66?
§ Mr. PrenticeThe hon. Member must get away from the idea that there was a target. Certainly the credit facilities should not be regarded in isolation but should be seen alongside the extra finance available from building societies, which should reach an all-time record this year, and in the context of the general state of the economy, which is growing in strength because of the Government's measures.
§ Mr. AllasonWould the Minister agree that if he could persuade his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing to stop giving such warm encouragement to direct labour organisations a considerable improvement in the industry's productivity would result?
§ Mr. PrenticeNo, Sir. I believe that both private enterprise and public enterprise have a contribution to make towards meeting our targets in housing and other forms of building.