§ 38. Mr. Boydenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what amount the increase in the price of building materials during the last 12 months has increased the cost of building an average size three-bedroom house.
§ Mr. AmeryThe rise in the price of house building materials between March, 1970 and March, 1971 is estimated to have increased the cost of building an average size three-bedroom house by 4 per cent.
§ Mr. BoydenSince this shocking price increase has run right across building contracts does it not make the Minister's policy of fixed two-year price contracts quite unrealistic and unfair? Has he seen the report of the Buckinghamshire Works Committee which shows that, since January, of the 30 lowest tenders only two were within the approved cost limits?
§ Mr. AmeryI am sure that the hon. Gentleman, with his wide understanding of these matters, will have appreciated that the increase in costs will be almost exactly offset by the abolition of S.E.T.