§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the effect the new cost controls for local authority housing will have on the standard of housing in London.
§ Mr. MellishThe new cost control arrangements announced in Circular 36/67 allow higher cost yardsticks for Greater London than for the rest of the country, and should permit authorities using Parker Morris standards to obtain subsidy on the whole cost of schemes which are designed from now on with the new cost limits in mind and with reasonable regard to economy. Authorities wishing to incorporate standards higher than Parker Morris will be able352W to do so up to a cost limit of 10 per cent. above the yardstick, although subsidy will not be payable above the yardstick. The operation of the cost yardstick for London is being considered by a joint working party from the London authorities and the Department.