§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give the building cost of an average three-bedroom house constructed by a local authority direct works department, and a private builder, respectively.
§ Mr. MellishIn the 1st quarter of this year the average cost of a 3-bedroom local authority house being built by direct labour was £2,742, and by private contractor £2,685. But the direct labour houses were on the whole somewhat larger. The figures adjusted to a standard 900 sq. ft. 3-bedroom house are, by direct labour £2,560 and by private contractor £2,623. These figures are based on tenders or estimates, not final costs.