§ 61. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that individuals granted a private building licence are 137W now finding it impossible, in the Greater London area, to get a house built for £1,500; what steps he is taking to get down the cost of building; and if he will increase the maximum amount allowable under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act.
§ Mr. BevanNo. There is no such licensing limit of £1,500. The Girdwood Committee is considering the question of housing costs. By Clause 35 of the Housing Bill now before Parliament the limit on the market value of a house in respect of which an advance may be made under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts is increased from £1,500 to £5,000.
§ 73. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that on his instructions, all local authorities without exception have applied the ratio of one to four in granting licences for house building by private enterprise in proportion to the houses built by local authorities.
§ Mr. BevanDiscretion has been given to local authorities to decide whether they will issue any licences for the building of houses by private persons and, if so, what licences they will issue within the maximum of one-fifth of the number of houses allocated to them for building.