To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will assess the special circumstances pertaining in the current year that have affected the cost of house building and construction in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the measures he intends now to take to deal with the cost and budgetary consequences within this financial year. [37389]

Tender prices for public sector housing contracts have shown a sharp increase in the past year and the reasons for this are being examined. The budgetary consequences will be considered in the context of in year monitoring of the amount allocated to the Northern Ireland public expenditure block.