§ 50. Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the estimated increase in new house prices over the past and prospective 12 months; and what are his proposals to minimise the increasing costs of house-building.
§ Mr. FreesonThe average price of new dwellings mortgaged by private owners with building societies increased by slightly over 7 per cent. over the past 12 months. It is not possible to predict what increase there may be over the coming 12 months.
The development and use of new materials and building techniques to increase efficiency and reduce costs is a continuing process, and steps are being taken to increase the supply of land available for housebuilding.