HC Deb 17 October 1973 vol 861 cc180-1
6. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give the latest figures for the average prices of newly-built and secondhand houses; and what the comparative prices were in June 1970.

30. Mr. Stallard

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give the latest available figures for the average prices of newly-built and secondhand houses.

Mr. Channon

The average prices of newly-built and secondhand houses in the second quarter of 1973 was £10,023 and £9,790 respectively. The comparable figures for the second quarter of 1970 were £5,082 and £4,778.

Mr. Skinner

It looks as though the Minister has done the double. Is he aware that those figures show that property spivs and racketeers have had three golden years whilst young married couples have been collecting a mountain of misery and debt? Who is to blame for this lot? Is it the weather again?

Mr. Channon

The hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is typical of so many that he asks. In fact, despite the obvious difficulties which both sides of the House recognise, in the first half of this year there were more first-time buyers of houses, and more young people and people earning less than national average earnings were able to buy houses than was the case in 1970.

Mr. Kinsey

My hon. Friend will recognise that at the same time as house prices have escalated so, too, have the fees of estate agents and solicitors. Since no extra work is involved, is not it time that my hon. Friend talked to them with a view to reducing the costs of conveyancing?

Mr. Channon

My right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has already taken some action on that.

Mr. Crosland

Is the Minister aware that the figures that he has quoted this afternoon are totally and disgracefully out of line with the kind of warnings that the Tory Party was giving during the last election? Will he tell the House, briefly, whether the Government now have any policy on house prices? Is he aware that Ministers have consistently said that the only way to bring down house prices is to build more houses, whereas in practice the figures for house building look like being the lowest for the last 10 years?

Mr. Channon

It is all very well for the right hon. Gentleman to say that, but in the first eight months of this year 155,000 private houses were started, compared with 108,000 when he had responsibility for housing.