HC Deb 11 March 1968 vol 760 cc960-1
30. Mr. Eyre

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representations he has received from builders about the current state of trade in the building industry; and what action he has taken.

Mr. Mellish

None, Sir. The current state of trade in the industry is discussed regularly at meetings of my National Consultative Council. I do not consider that any specific action is required.

Mr. Eyre

Is the Minister aware that the latest state of the trade inquiry shows the dismaying fact that half of the firms answering expected to do less work in this year than they did in 1967? Is it clearly not time to scrap building licensing and to free the industry from the Selective Employment Tax?

Mr. Mellish

The hon. Member may be interested to know that output last year rose by about 5 per cent. In this year it is expected to rise by 3 per cent. above last year. The hon. Member raises a point about the number of firms which will not do so much work this year. Part of the trouble is that fewer and fewer of the larger firms are doing more and more of the work. That has nothing to do with the Government. It is because, as a result of the cost mechanics of the private enterprise sector, we shall get more work done by fewer employers. Some of the small firms will have to fight for their lives, not against us but against their own competitors.

Mr. Bob Brown

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the northern Press reported this morning that the private builders building houses for sale in the North of England are having better sales than at any time since 1932 and that one speculative builder in Newcastle sold 30 houses last Thursday, when the average sale of houses at this time of the year is about 30 a week?

Mr. Mellish

I have great respect for the private sector of the house building industry and I want to do anything I can to help it. But this is a competitive jungle in which many people can be hurt.

Mr. Costain

In view of the Minister's enthusiasm to help the private builder, will he have some words with his right hon. Friend and get some more land made available so that the private builders can get on with the job?

Mr. Mellish

I wish that the builders would go to the Land Commission and ask for land before they offer criticisms of that body. The hon. Member is a well-known builder in the industry and it is a pity that he does not set an example.