§ Major Digbyasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the serious rise in the prices of small houses and house property during the recent years, he proposes to introduce any form of control so as to protect would-be purchasers from this particular form of profiteering.
§ Mr. WillinkAs I have previously stated, I have been in consultation with the other Government Departments concerned on this matter. Although it does not appear that, in general, houses are changing hands at prices which are unreasonable in existing conditions, or which are disproportionate to the increase in building costs and of prices generally, there are instances of excessive prices having been charged and the position is undoubtedly one which gives rise to some concern. If there are indications of an increased tendency to charge unreasonable prices, I shall consider the matter further but I think that I shall be in a better position to consider the matter when the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee which is considering the allied problem of Rent Control is available.