§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the 148W ratio of civil servants in the Ministry of Housing, or the equivalent section of the Department of the Environment, to the number of houses built in each of the years 1954, 1964, 1974 and estimated for 1975 and the actual numbers in each case.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe Ministry of Housing and Local Government was, and the Department of the Environment is, responsible for a wide range of functions besides housing and it is not possible to give meaningful ratios in the form requested. Figures of dwellings completed in the years mentioned in the Question are as follows:
England England and Wales 1954 293,000 309,000 1964 317,500 336,500 1974 is, of course, not yet over. The Government have already taken steps to secure an expansion in the new building programme next year but it is too early to give a precise estimate of completions.