HC Deb 24 June 1969 vol 785 cc1184-6
6. Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the number of housing starts for 1969 at the latest convenient date; what percentage change this represents from the corresponding period for 1968; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Greenwood

139,400 dwellings were started in Great Britain during the first five months of 1969, 17 per cent. fewer than in the corresponding period of 1968. Public starts reflect the relatively low rate of tender approvals until the last quarter of 1968, and private starts the shortage of mortgage funds during the winter. Abnormally bad weather also depressed both private and public sectors.

Mr. Biffen

In view of the restraints on domestic credit which have now been quantified in the Letter of Intent, could the right hon. Gentleman say what he thinks will be the starts and completions for housing during the calendar year 1969?

Mr. Greenwood

I think the hon. Gentleman is wrong in saying that they are quantified, but that is a point which no doubt he will be anxious to bring out in the debate tomorrow if he is fortunate to catch Mr. Speaker's eye. Clearly, our performance in the social field must to a very large extent reflect the strength of the country's economy. As I have said on previous occasions, it is too early in the year to give precise figures for the final out-turn for the year. That is still the position.

Mrs. Renée Short

Does my right hon. Friend recollect that a few days ago he gave me a list of housing authorities which have reduced the number of housing starts? Does he not think that to get the number of housing completions to where the country needs them he should look at the suggestion of starting some kind of national building agency to supplement the building by local authorities, both those which will not build and those which cannot build?

Mr. Greenwood

The housing figures must depend to a very large extent upon maintaining the momentum of local authority building. Some local authorities are maintaining figures; others, I am sorry to say, are dragging their feet and falling behind. But in the suggestion that my hon. Friend has made she is leaping a little too far ahead.

Mr. Graham Page

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this disappointing decrease of 17 per cent. is a matter of policy and whether he would wish to see it made up during the year, or whether it is a matter of keeping down to this figure?

Mr. Greenwood

Certainly I wish to make up the shortfall during the year. I have said that I want to maintain and produce the highest figure of house building which the economy of the country allows. The shortfall so far reflects the two conditions to which I referred in my original answer.