§ 64. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking in view of the rise of 17 points during the latest 12-month period in the endex of average prices of new private houses prepared by his Department.
§ Mr. AmeryThe most effective way of restraining the rise in house prices is to increase the number of houses available for sale, and the Government's policies are doing just this. The number of new houses for private owners started in the third quarter of this year was 11,000 more than in the same period last year.
§ 87. Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the effect on new house prices of the reduction in selective employment tax.
§ Mr. AmeryIt is estimated that the reduction in selective employment tax has resulted in a decrease of between 1 and 2 per cent. in building costs for new houses, but it is not possible to isolate the effect of the tax cut from the other factors influencing house prices.
§ 94. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the increased amount in the average price of new private houses in the Northern Region for the latest 12-month period.
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§ Mr. ChannonThe average price of new private houses in the three northern regions of England mortgaged with building societies is estimated to have been £4,530 in the 12 months ending in September, 1971, compared with £4,230 in the previous 12 months.