§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretry of State for the Environment on how many occasions since its introduction in 1967 the housing cost yardstick has been 379W altered by his Department; how many staff are wholly or mainly engaged in dealing with the yardstick in his Department; and what is the current annual administration cost of his work, including salaries and administrative overheads.
§ Mr. FreesonThe published level of the housing cost yardstick has been increased 12 twelve times since is was introduced in 1967: the total average increase is 182 per cent. 164 staff at a cost of £1.1 million. Fundamental changes in the housing cost yardstick are being considered by a departmental working party in consultation with the local authority associations.