§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps designed to avert growing unemployment amongst employees of building material producers.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Government have taken a number of measures which should be of assistance to the building materials industry. The Government provided for an additional £350 million expenditure on public sector housing in 1974–75 and arranged the £500 million loans scheme with building societies, and I am considering what further initiatives can be taken to stimulate housebuilding. A further £120 million of public expenditure on construction was announced in September and a higher initial tax allowance for industrial buildings was announced in the Budget. Manufacturers should also get some help from the Budget measures designed to increase company liquidity, as well as the proposed changes in the Price Code. I shall keep the situation on building materials production under close review.