§ 19. Mr. Graham Pageasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he has to minimise the delays caused to local authority house-building schemes by the housing cost yardstick.
§ Mr. FreesonA few authorities have attributed delays to the yardstick procedure, but these can be overcome as better cost control and pre-planning methods increase. In most cases the yardstick procedure has made for greater certainty and speed of decision.
§ Mr. PageIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his statement that only a few authorities have complained does not accord with the complaints which we have had on this side of the House? Will he give the House an assurance that the cost yardstick figures will be kept up to date? Is he aware that his right hon. Friend promised to revise them from time to time? Would he assure the House that they will be revised and that his promise will be kept so as to keep within reality on costs?
§ Mr. FreesonThere is a review going on. I am not able to give any date as to when a revision of the yardstick would follow. The hon. Gentleman has not substantiated, either here or in writing to the Ministry, what he says about the number of complaints. One or two of the authorities, I fear, may be using this as an excuse for their cut-back in housing.