Winter Building

HC Deb 15 July 1969 vol 787 c380

4. Mr. Waddington

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will make a statement on the progress of winter building.

Mr. John Silkin

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my predecessor to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Kitson) on 22nd April this year.—[Vol. 782, c. 242]

Mr. Waddington

Does not the Minister feel that progress is impeded by the operation of investment grants and by the rule that no grant can be given for capital expenditure on one item of less than £25? Does it not affect in particular site lighting, which is an important matter in this context?

Mr. Silkin

That point is made from time to time, but investment grants equally are available for winter building equipment or assemblies of equipment costing over £25. Even if no grant is forthcoming, all the evidence is that there is an increase in productivity to be gained from winter building techniques. This by itself should be a stimulus to the employment of these techniques.