§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated percentage increase in rates for the forthcoming year; and what were 137W the comparable figures for each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI cannot make a forecast for 1971–72 until some months hence, when local councils have fixed their rate poundages. The increases in rates collected in previous years were 17.7 per cent. in 1966–67, 1.9 per cent. in 1967–68, 8.9 per cent. in 1968–69, 8.7 per cent. in 1969–70 and 15.3 per cent. in 1970–71.
HOUSES STARTED (all categories) Month 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 October … … 2,537 4,057 3,076 3,253 3,344 3,393 3,028 November … … 2,203 2,697 2,624 3,680 3,521 3,430 2,427 December … … 2,779 2,704 3,097 4,412 5,463 2,925 3,169 January … … 2,355 1,515 2,608 2,086 2,115 2,165 1,396 February … … 3,815 1,560 3,439 2,765 2,611 2,126 2,548 March … … 4,561 3,692 4,436 4,706 3,544 2,921 2,417 Note: Figures for houses started in the private sector are collected quarterly. Figures for separate months are estimated, and adjusted quarterly.