HC Deb 17 June 1968 vol 766 cc677-8
4. Mr. Gresham Gooke

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what estimate he has formed of the proportion of building work likely to be carried out by the public sector in 1970.

Mr. Mellish

I have nothing to add to my reply which I gave on March 11th to the hon. Members for Hemel Hemp-stead (Mr. Allason) and Birmingham Hall Green (Mr. Eyre).—[Vol. 760, c. 957.]

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Did the estimate made on 11th March take into account the vast increase which will come about in the public sector by the nationalised boards having powers to build under Clause 45 of the Transport Bill? Will the Minister say by what extent the public sector will be increased by these nationalised boards building activities?

Mr. Mellish

If the hon. Member looks at the Order Paper he will see that there is a Question to me on that point. I do not see why I should answer it now— [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] Repetition would be an awful bore. I shall wait until the actual Question is asked. I have been asked by the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Gresham Cooke) what the estimate is. There has been no change from the estimate i gave on 11th March. I expect that in 1970 55 per cent. of new work will be for the public sector and 45 per cent. for the private sector.