109. Mrs. Whiteasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why his Department refused to sanction a contract for the erection of 115 dwellings at Sealand and limited it to 48 dwellings; and, in view of the allegation by his Department that the cut was due to a shortage of bricks and cement, what corresponding cut was made in other building work in the neighbourhood.
§ Mr. MarplesThe word "cut" is inappropriate in this context. The number of houses under construction in the area has increased by 174 per cent. in the last two years. Approval of the remainder of the tender referred to has been deferred until a reduction can be secured in the price of the houses. But, for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop) and others on 14th July, it will be necessary to phase the council's housing programme.