HC Deb 05 May 1970 vol 801 cc174-5
5. Mr. Rossi

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what recent representations have been made to him about the effect of the credit squeeze on the housebuilding programme; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Greenwood

Representations have recently been made to me on behalf of the Federation of Master Builders and in reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State referred to the proposals made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in his Budget speech, and to the measures already announced in my statement in the House on 18th March.

Mr. Rossi

Does the Minister think that those measures are sufficient? If he is really interested in helping house builders to get on with the job, does he not think they should be given even greater help than has been given so far?

Mr. Greenwood

The hon. Member should be a little careful about suggesting that I do not want local authorities to get on with the job. I do, very much. That is one reason that I made my proposals in my statement in the House on 18th March. As it is now only the first week of May, it is a little early to condemn proposals made as recently as the third week in March.

Mrs. Renéee Short

Does my right hon. Friend recall that representations on this aspect of the housing problem and many others were made to him as long ago as 11th December, 1969, in a Report by a Sub-Committee of the Estimates Committee? Does he also recall that, although this request has been made, we have not yet had a reply from his Department to those recommendations? Will he see that we get it forthwith?

Mr. Greenwood

My hon. Friend will know that the Report of the Committee is engraved on my heart. I am not sure what the position is about the reply which is being prepared to the suggestions made, but I will look into her question and see how quickly I can give her an answer which will be wholly satisfactory.