asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the estimated reduction by at least £30 in the cost of houses owing to relief of Purchase Tax on water-heaters, gas stoves and other domestic articles, he will instruct the appropriate Ministries to make tenders for houses already accepted subject to a corresponding reduction, so as to prevent the benefit of this taxation relief going to builders as additional profit.

I understand that the saving would not be as great as suggested, but the terms of local authorities' contracts for the erection of houses ensure that the benefit of this relief will normally accrue to the authority.