HC Deb 09 February 1948 vol 447 c1W
12. Mr. Marples

asked the Minister of Works what has been the percentage increase in the cost of building materials and wages in the building industry, respectively, since the date at which he first fixed at £10 the financial limit at which he permitted building repairs to be carried out without a licence.

Mr. Key

Since the limit of £10 on building work permitted without a licence became applicable to the whole country on 1st August, 1945, the Board of Trade Index of Wholesale Building Materials prices had risen 36 per cent. by December, 1947. During the same period, standard hourly wage rates for building craftsmen and labourers rose by approximately 25 per cent. to 28 per cent., according to the grading of the district in which wages were payable.