§ 66. Mr. Sharplesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to make greater use of private building contractors, in view of the low productivity of the direct labour organisations in the construction industry.
§ Mr. CrossmanI cannot accept the hon. Member's assertion. Precise measurement of efficiency is always difficult, but statistics on the cost of local authority houses show that cost per square foot is less by direct labour than by contractor. It is my aim to stimulate both by greater efficiency.