§ Mr. MarlowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the relative efficiency in terms of price and build time of the private sector and direct labour organisations building houses in inner London.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 19 January 1989]: This information is not available in the form requested. Under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 direct labour organisations are required to make a rate of return of 5 per cent. on capital employed, my right hon. Friend has given directions to Lambeth and Hackney borough councils to cease from undertaking works of new construction in the light of their failure to achieve this rate of return.