asked the Minister of Works whether he will consider raising the general building limit of£100 a year for maintenance, repair and reconditioning.

I have seriously considered the possibility of raising the£100 limit. Such a step, however, would, in my view, give rise at present to a serious risk of overloading the building industry once again, and thus of slowing down the rate of building and obstructing progress on important projects. I have therefore made an Order maintaining the present limits unchanged for the twelve months from 1st July.