§ 64. Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the estimated additional cost to the house-building industry of the 15 per cent. surcharge on a wide range of building materials.
§ Mr. MellishAs I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Portsmouth, West (Brigadier Clarke) on 1st December, my right hon. Friend estimates that the import surcharge is likely to increase the cost of a house by less than 1 per cent. on average. The cost to the house-building industry depends on how much of the surcharge is absorbed and how much is passed on to its customers.