§ Mrs. Lena Jegerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what information he has about increases in the purchase price of new houses; and what steps he intends to take to control such prices.
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§ Mr. MacCollThe average price of new dwellings mortgaged by private owners in the third quarter of this year increased by 5.3 per cent. on the third quarter of 1966.
Statutory control of the price of new houses is not practicable because of the great diversity of types and costs throughout the country and because secondhand houses constitute the greater part of the housing market.
An increase in the supply of new houses in the private sector is the best way of keeping down prices and I am glad to say that completions in this sector are very encouraging.