HC Deb 06 March 1967 vol 742 cc1027-9
13. Mr. More

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representations he has received from the building industry regarding difficulties currently facing that industry; and what reply he has given.

20. Mr. Eyre

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what estimate he has received from the National Federation of Building Trades Employers regarding the building programme from 1967 to 1970; and what reply he has sent.

27. Mr. Hunt

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representations he has received from the National Federation of Building Trades Employers regarding the current state of trade in the building industry; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

No formal representations have been received, but I am in constant touch with representatives of all sides of the construction industry.

Mr. More

What improvements have taken place in the private sector of housing as a result of those building controls which, in the Prime Minister's election phrase, were designed to "put housing before the excrescences of the dolce vita society"?

Mr. Prentice

The completions of houses, both public and private, were up last year to the figure of 385,000, which was higher than in any previous year. The starts of houses in the public sector have also been on a rising curve; in the private sector they have not. That is the disappointing situation to which I referred, and the Government have taken the steps of which I spoke in reply to a question just now to help to stimulate starts in that sector.

Mr. Eyre

Is the Minister aware that the industry's view is that the housing target for 1970 must be revised? In the light of that, does it remain the Government's policy that 250,000 houses should be built by private enterprise for sale in 1970? If that is still the Government's policy—and I apologise for mentioning the dirty word "target" again—how will it be achieved in the light of the drastic fall in private house building which has taken place since 1964?

Mr. Prentice

The hon. Member need not apologise for using the word "target" in relation to 1970. The previous reference was to a target for last year which is alleged by hon. Members opposite. The public part of the programme has been increasing at a pace to reach the 250,000 target in 1970. The number started in the private part of the programme in the early part of last year was disappointing. That is why we have taken the steps to which I referred in reply to another Question.

Mr. Hunt

Is the Minister aware that builders throughout Britain are in a state of despair at the Government's policies in this respect? In spite of the complacency he has shown this afternoon, is it not a fact that the sagging confidence in the building industry at present must be reflected in falling house production and even more broken promises by the party opposite?

Mr. Prentice

No, Sir. The total output of the building industry in 1966 was almost exactly the same as in 1965. On the present trend, it would again be about the same figure in 1967. That is not good enough, and I want to see it rising. But that does not justify talking about despair. That is a silly exaggeration and would encourage builders who might pay attention to the hon. Member's remarks to get themselves into a worse state than they need be in.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

But in view of the manifest lack of co-ordination between no fewer than 10 Ministers responsible for housing and building in this Government, will not the Minister take the initiative in bringing them together and pressing upon them the need to abolish the greatest single enemy of confidence among private builders, the Land Commission?

Mr. Prentice

The case for the Land Commission has been made many times from this Dispatch Box, and hon. Members opposite completely failed to answer it.

Mr. More

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.