§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet met the Chairman of the EDC for Building to discuss that organisation's forecast of housing output in 1974; and with what result.
§ Mr. FreesonI am kept fully informed of the committee's housing forecasts as well as its views on other matters. The Government have been active in taking steps to encourage more house building in the private and public sectors, particularly in increasing the supply of mortgage funds, and in providing assistance for house improvement where it is most needed.
§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to take to reverse the decline of construction output in 1975 to which he referred in his answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 4th July.
§ Mr. FreesonAdditional resources have been provided by the Government to encourage both public and private housebuilding. The position in the industry generally is being closely watched.
§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many dwellings were started and how many were completed in the public and private sectors in the area of South Bedfordshire District Council in the first three months and the first six months of 1974, respectively.
§ Mr. FreesonThe authorities then responsible for the area of South Bedfordshire District Council reported the following numbers of starts and completions during the first quarter of 1974:
324W
Public sector Private sector Starts … 511 77 Completions … 577 158 Similar information is not yet available for the second quarter of this year.