§ Mr. Simeonsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage change in the yardstick used for firm price tendering to local authorities ; and how this compares with the actual increases in building costs which have taken place during the same period and to date.
§ Mr. Amery: Since introduction in July, 1967 the housing cost yardsticks have been increased by between 17 per cent. and 29 per cent. according to the nature and location of schemes. It is estimated that during the same period house-building costs increased by about 27 per cent. The difference between these figures gives some indication of the extent to which the yardsticks have been successful in encouraging better cost planning and the use of more economic designs.