VISCOUNT STONEHAVENasked His Majesty's Government whether there has been any rise in the price of basic building materials and domestic fittings, i.e., baths, basins, lavatories, etc., during the past six months; if so, what was the extent of the rise, and how it is being allowed for in the maximum price for houses.
§ LORD HENDERSONThere have been increases in certain prices of basic building materials and domestic fittings during the last six months as follows:
Slates.—Increases in prices vary from 6 per cent. in the case of Welsh slates to 17½per cent. for Westmorland slates.
Salt glazed drain pipes.—Increases of 22½per cent. points in the standard list prices equal to approximately 20 per cent. for England and Wales and 15 per cent. for Scotland.
Sanitary fireclay, sinks, basins, etc.—Increase of 7½per cent.
Tiles (roofing and floor).—An average increase of 15 per cent.
Bricks (commons).—Increases vary from 1s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. per 1,000.
Hollow clay blocks.—Increases of 4d. per yard for 2-inch and 2½-inch to 6d. per yard for 4 to 4¼-inch.
Metal doors and windows.—Increase of 5 per cent.
Steel reinforcement ferro-concrete bars.—Approximately 5 per cent. increase according to size and circumstances.
Steel joists (basic section).—Increase of 16s. 6d. per ton or approximately 5 per cent.
Light castings, rain water and soil pipes.—Increase of 12½per cent.
Water waste preventors.—Increase of 10 points on standard list prices.
Cast iron baths.—Increase of 6½ points on standard list price.
Galvanised and corrugated iron sheets.—Increase of 25s. per ton, equal to approximately 5 per cent.
Pig lead.—Increase of£15 per ton or approximately 50 per cent.
Copper.—Increase of£10 per ton or approximately 16 per cent.
Brass foundry goods.—Increase of 10 per cent.
Galvanised tanks and cisterns.—Increase of 17½points in the plusages on gross list selling prices.
Solid fuel cooking and heating appliances.—Increase of 5 per cent.
Gas meters.—Increase of 7½per cent.
Sheet lead and lead pipes.—Increase of approximately 37 per cent.
1306WANo alteration has been made in the maximum selling price allowed for a house built under licence.