§ 45. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that since 1951 the tender price of a 900 square foot three-bedroomed house built by local authorities had risen by 72 per cent. as at the end of 1963; and what action he proposes to take to reverse this rise in the cost of building council houses.
§ Mr. CorfieldIn the same period the wage rates of building workers have gone up by more than 75 per cent. The remedy lies in increased productivity and the Government are helping the building industry to achieve this in several ways. My right hon. Friend is encouraging housing authorities to form groups for placing large and continuing orders, which will enable the building industry to plan ahead and to make fuller use of labour-saving techniques in producing both house components and houses.