§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his estimate of the approximate total of bank loans to firms for house building at the most recent available date compared with one, two, three and four years ago, respectively.
§ Mr. FreesonBank loans for house-building are part of the total for the whole construction industry. Bank advances outstanding to the industry in the United Kingdom totalled £359.2 million in November, 1967, £369.6 million in November, 1968, and £371.5 million in November, 1969. Advances in 1969 were 0.5 per cent. higher than in 1968, and72W 3.4 per cent. higher than in 1967. Figures are not available on the same basis for 1965 and 1966 and cannot therefore be compared as for 1969.