§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current cost of building two- and three-bedroom council houses—including land—in the South-East; and how these figures compare with costs during each of the past five years.
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§ Mr. ArmstrongThe average construction costs in tender approvals for two- and three-bedroom council houses in the South-East are as follows:
2 bedroom 3 bedroom £ £ 1970 3,100 3,400 1971 3,500 3,800 1972 4,200 4,600 1973 5,800 6,100 1974 6,600 7,300 The figures quoted assume that a two-bedroom house provides four bed spaces and a three-bedroom house five bed spaces. They are averages for the Department's Eastern and South-East Regions. Costs of land, site works, ancillary buildings and fees are excluded; these are currently estimated at £4,000 per house in England. Separate costs for South-East England are not immediately available. Figures are not yet available for 1975.