§ 12. Mr. Fortescueasked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many projects of between £50,000 and £99,999 in value were refused a building licence between 11th August, 1966, and 31st March, 1968; what was the value of those projects; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellishThere were 48 such projects with a total value of £3½ million, as stated in the Annex to my Report presented to the House on 22nd May, 1968. Such projects are, of course, now exempt from building control as a result of Statutory Instrument, 1968, No. 781, also laid before Parliament on 22nd May, 1968.
§ Mr. FortescueIn view of the extremely small number of licences which had to be refused during two years of economic crisis, how can the Minister possibly justify continuing with these controls over the next few years when, as all his colleagues tell us, we shall have a period of economic recovery?
§ Mr. MellishI give this assurance. At this moment of time those applying for licences are being treated extremely generously. I am considering this issue very carefully. The moment the opportunity is there I shall ensure that the controls are removed.