§ 21. Mr. Grantasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will give the annual average figures for the index of the cost of new construction, taking 1963 as equally 100, for 1960, and the equivalent figures for 1964 and 1968.
§ Mr. John SilkinNinety-one in 1960, 102 in 1964 and 118 in 1968.
§ Mr. GrantIs it not a fact that construction costs have risen far more sharply in the first four years of Labour Government than they did in the last four years of Conservative Government, and that if one were to take the years 1959 and 1969 the position would be even more unfavourable to the Government?
§ Mr. SilkinThe difference is the marginal one of about 1 per cent., but the hon. Gentleman must also take into account the rather wider perspective and must not be too parochial. The index of construction costs in the United States and in most industrial countries in Europe is greater than, or at the best the same as, in this country.