§ Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Health the average cost of the typical three-bedroom permanent house approved by him and accepted by local authorities; the average super floor area of these houses; whether this approved cost includes the charges for land and services and the work done by employees of the local authorities and his Department; and, in view of these figures, what price private builders may charge for similar houses.
§ Mr. BevanThe average cost of a permanent three-bedroom house in tenders submitted by local authorities and approved by me up to 31st January, 1946, is approximately £980, and the average floor area approximately 910 square feet. The approved price is based on the accepted tender, or direct labour estimate, and is exclusive of charges for land, service or any additional work undertaken by the local authority or my Department. The maximum price permitted for a three-bedroom house. of 1,000 superficial feet erected by a private builder under licence is £1,300 in the London Region and £1,200 elsewhere. This includes the price of the developed land. 1 will send the hon. Member a copy of a circular which 1 am issuing to deal with the special problem of houses built on expensive sites.