§ Mr. Woodhouseasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have sought exemptions from the housing cost yardstick in the six months ending 31st March 1973 in order to meet local market conditions affecting building costs.
§ Mr. ChannonExemptions from the housing cost yardstick are not given. The allowances made, where necessary, to meet local market conditions are part of the more flexible yardstick arrangements which were introduced last November. A yardstick, including a market allowance if appropriate, is determined for each housing scheme; up to the end of March 363 local authorities accepting tenders for housing schemes had benefited from such allowances.