§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much building costs have risen, without being adjusted for productivity and out- 66W put, in the first nine months of 1971 compared with the same period of 1970; and whether the rate of increase has changed over the third quarter of 1971 compared with the rate of increase in the first two quarters.
§ Mr. AmeryThe rates of increase in building costs for all work, based on building materials prices and labour costs (earnings and employers' statutory contributions) and without adjustment for productivity and output are:
the latter figure being based only on provisional costs for September, 1971. In the third quarter of 1971, provisional results indicate that building costs, as defined above, have remained on average at the same level as in the previous quarter; this compares with average quarterly increases of 2.9 per cent, and 4.3 per cent. for the first and second quarters of 1971.
1970 During the first nine months: +11.2 per cent. 1971 +9.7 per cent.