§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what would be the effect on the balance of payments of substituting traditional brick-built houses for imported system-built houses in both the private and public sectors;
(2) what would be the extent of the increases in employment in the construction and brick-building industries resulting from the substitution of traditional brick-built houses for imported system-built houses in both the private and public sectors.
§ Mr. ArmstrongTotal imports of these houses are not known, but the numbers in contracts let by local authorities are small and declining, which suggests that the direct effects on employment and the balance of payments would be small. Full analysis would involve assessing the indirect effects of substitution, which in some circumstances could be adverse.