§ 48. Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many builders were members of the National House-Builders Registration Council on 1st January, 1964, 1965 and 175W 1966; and what proportions these firms represented of the total estimated private house-building activity on these dates.
§ 54. Mr. Gardnerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress is being made with the voluntary registration of house builders.
§ Mr. CrossmanGood progress has been made. Over 4,000 firms have registered, or are in process of doing so. The actual figures of registered builders at 31st March, 1964, 1965 and 1966, were 1,772, 2,005 and 2,618 respectively. I estimate that the capacity of these firms was approximately 27 per cent., 32 per cent. and 40 per cent. of the private house-building industry. These had risen to 3,665 firms and over 50 per cent. of the industry by 30th June, and in addition nearly 500 more applications were being considered.