§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what has been the percentage increase in building costs in each six-monthly period from April, 1955, to date; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the causes of these increases.
§ Mr. BoydenThe following are the figures:
INDEX NUMBERS OF THE COST OF NEW CONSTRUCTION QUARTERLY AVERAGES FOR 1ST AND 3RD QUARTERS Average.1954=100 Index Numbers Percentage Change 1955—1st Quarter … 103 3rd Quarter … 107 +4 1956—1st Quarter … 108 +1 3rd Quarter … 111 +3 1957—1st Quarter … 112 +1 3rd Quarter … 115 +3 1958—1st Quarter … 115 0 3rd Quarter … 115 0 1959—1st Quarter … 113 -2 3rd Quarter … 113 0 1960—1st Quarter … 113 0 3rd Quarter … 114 +1 1961—1st Quarter … 116 +2 3rd Quarter … 117 +1 1962—1st Quarter … 121 +3 3rd Quarter … 122 +1 1963—1st Quarter … 125 +2 3rd Quarter … 126 +1 1964—1st Quarter … 127 +1 3rd Quarter … 129 +2 1965—1st Quarter … Not yet available The average rise in the Department's Cost of New Construction Index since 1955 has been just over 2 per cent. a year. I do not consider that this calls for a special inquiry.