§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the result of his review of housing cost yardstick, which was due to have been announced on 24 June.
§ Mr. StanleyThe date of the announcement of the results of reviews of the levels of the housing yardstick is not fixed although, in recent years, it has usually been towards the end of each quarter.
A circular giving the results of the latest review will be published shortly. It will show that the percentage increase to be applied to the sum of the basic cost, yardstick allowances and regional 230W variations in circular 24/78—Welsh Office circular 40/78—and ad hoc allowances where they apply is now 20 per cent. instead of the 16 per cent. provided for in circular 12/79—Welsh Office circular 24/79. Where the cost yardstick has already been approved, the council may apply the increase itself. The increase applies to all schemes with tenders for erection accepted by formal resolution of the council on or after 1 July. The local authority associations have been advised of this today.