§ 10. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the total value of building licences 7 granted since the licence limit was reduced to £50,000; and what percentage of such licences has been for building for purpose of entertainment.
§ 14. Mr. Costainasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the number and value of building licences issued under the Building Control Act, 1966, to the most convenient date; and how many applications he has refused.
§ Mr. MellishIn the period from the enactment of the Building Control Act to 29th December, 1967, 1,068 projects with a total value of f212.2 million have been licensed and 117 projects with a total value of £20.2 million have been refused. Just over 9 per cent. of the licences granted have been for projects classified as entertainment, more than half of which have been for hotels.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIn view of the unemployment in the building trade, is it to be and will it be the Ministry's present and future policy to regard applications indulgently and sympathetically?
§ Mr. MellishMy present policy is very flexible.
§ Mr. CostainIn view of that and in order to save civil servants, would it not be a good idea to abolish this licensing?
§ Mr. MellishAs the hon. Gentleman knows, building licences are needed in times of overload on the construction industry, which certainly cannot be said of it today. However, the licences do not apply in development areas, or to houses. or industrial buildings. The hon. Gentleman may be interested to learn that of last December's figures, for which I have responsibility, only 2 per cent. were rejected. I shall be as flexible as possible.