10. Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the current level of expenditure on new building work for which his Department is responsible in his North-East Region; by how much this has increased since 1964; and what is the value of projects planned to start in the next three years.
§ Mr. LoughlinIncluding agency services, £9.6 million. This is about 90 per cent. above the comparable figure for 1963–64. We expect to start about £38 million worth of new work in the next three years.
Mr. FletcherIs it not obvious from that answer that this represents a considerable increase in the construction industry in the North-East? Would my hon. Friend agree that much of the unemployment in the North-East in the construction industry is caused by the cutback in the housing programme of Tory-controlled local authorities?
§ Mr. LoughlinThe cutback by Tory-controlled authorities has had an effect not merely in the North-East but else-where. I thank my hon. Friend for his first remarks.
§ Dame Irene WardIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the construction industry is not as pleased as the Government are with what has gone on in the North-East, having regard to S.E.T. and other things? Would he kindly ask the Prime Minister whether, when he visits the North on Friday of this week, he will find out what the people of the North-East, particularly those in the construction industry, really feel about the Minister of State and what he has been able to do?
§ Mr. LoughlinNo doubt my right hon. Friend will note what the hon. Lady has said about his proposed visit to the North-East. All I can tell her is that the figures at least show that we have put plenty of work into the North-East Region.