Building Costs

HC Deb 26 April 1965 vol 711 cc25-6W

Mr. Ted Fletcher

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what has been the percentage increase in building costs in each yearly period since 1955 in materials, labour and land, respectively.

Mr. Boyden

For the increase in building costs, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Fife (Mr. William Hamilton) on 14th April, 1965.

The tables for materials and labour are as follows:

1954 = 100

	Material Prices	Average Hourly Earnings
	Index Numbers	Percentage Change	Index Numbers	Percentage Change
	per cent.		per cent.
1955	105		107
1956	110	+ 5	115	+ 8
1957	114	+ 4	122	+ 6
1958	114	- 0	127	+ 4
1959	113	- 1	130	+ 2
1960	115	+ 2	137	+ 5
1961	118	+ 3	147	+ 7
1962	120	+ 2	159	+ 9
1963	122	+ 2	165	+ 4
1964	126	+ 3	178	+ 8

The price of land is not included in the Department's Index of the Cost of New Construction, which includes only those items which affect the cost of actual building operation.