§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take to stimulate investment in the building industry.
§ Mr. StanleySince we took office we have introduced measures to streamline the planning system and to improve the supply of land. We have repealed the Community Land Act and lowered the rate of development land tax. We have established enterprise zones and set up urban development corporations in London and in Merseysicle. We have set in motion a major low-cost home ownership programme and we have introduced measures to encourage the building of small factories and to assist small firms. We will continue to do all we can to create opportunities for the building industry within the overriding requirement to restore a soundly based economy.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many firms and companies in the building industry he estimates are not working to their full capacity; and what percentage this represents.
§ Mr. StanleyWe do not make estimates of the level at which individual firms are working.