§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average increase in the rise of house prices for older and new houses, respectively, in the first half of 1972; and what action Her Majesty's Government has now taken to restrain price increases.
§ Mr. AmeryThe average price of new private dwellings mortgaged with building societies was about 15 per cent. higher in the second quarter of 1972 than in the fourth quarter of 1971. Similar information is not yet available for second-hand dwellings. The Government's policy is to increase the supply of new dwellings to match the strong demand, and in the first six months of 1972 44 per cent. more private houses were started than in the first six months of 1970.