54. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what approximate proportion of the cost of an average three-bedroom house he estimates is taken up by foreign materials; and what steps he has taken to reduce this cost in the past 12 months.
§ Mr. MacCollBetween 8 and 10 per cent., mostly due to timber and copper. Local authorities are free to specify the materials which they wish to use having regard to cost performance and availability. My right hon. Friend has given no advice on this topic in the last 12 months.