asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to promote research to bring up to date the findings on the use of manpower in house building contained in the BRS Report "Progress in Housebuilding", published in 1969 but based on earlier research; and whether he will request either his National Consultative Council or the EDC for building to undertake such research in order to assist his current review of housing finance, in view of the implications for public expenditure of the respective speed of building council or private houses.

A considerable body of research work related to house building performance is currently in hand, but I have no immediate plans to arrange for any on the specific lines referred to.