§ Mrs. Hartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what guidance he has given to local authorities to use 692W British rather than imported timber frame houses;
(2) how many prefabricated timber frame houses have been imported by local authorities in each of the last five years; and how many have been supplied from United Kingdom sources.
§ Mr. FreesonWe would hope that, so far as possible and consistent with cost considerations, local authorities would use materials produced in the United Kingdom in their housing schemes. It is for them to decide what form of construction will suit their requirements and to invite tenders accordingly.
Following are the numbers of prefabricated timber frame dwelings as reported by English and Welsh local authorities and new towns in tenders let by them:
Manufactured in United Kingdom Elsewhere 1970 4,620 — 1971 4,334 — 1972 4,000 — 1973 7,154 — 1974 11,608 86