HC Deb 10 June 1988 vol 134 cc733-5W
Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the level of investment in residential construction, expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product, for the European and other major developed nations.

Mr. Trippier

International differences in housebuilding costs, population growth and internal migration affection comparisons of this kind.

The available information given in the table is taken from the "OECD National Accounts" vol II detailed tables 1973–1985.

Residential Construction as a Percentage of GDP in 1985
Country Per cent.
Austria 4.6
Belgium 3.2

and what is the position, expressed in similar terms, for rate fund contributions, for both negative and positive contributions.

Mr. Waldegrave

Housing subsidy up to 1980–81 was paid under a different system, so I am using 1981–82 as the first year. The information requested is shown in the tables. The rate fund contribution figures (RFCs) are net amounts. The 1987–88 and 1988–89 figures are estimates. Only a provisional housing subsidy figure is available for 1988–89 at this stage in the year.

Country Per cent.
Finland 6.2
France 4.6
Germany (Federal Republic) 5.5
Greece 3.9
Iceland n/a
Ireland 4.5 (1984)
Italy 4.0
Luxembourg 4.7 (1982)
Netherlands 4.6
Norway 4.1
Portugal 6.4 (1981)
Spain 4.6 (1984)
Sweden 4.1
Switzerland n/a
Turkey n/a
United Kingdom 3.5
Yugoslavia n/a
Australia 5.2
Canada 5.4
Japan 4.9

Country Per cent.
New Zealand 4.3 (1984)
United States (America) 4.8
n/a Not available

It is estimated that the 1987 equivalent percentage for the United Kingdom is 3.7 per cent.