asked the Minister of Health how far his Department's recent estimate of the share of the Government's capital investment programme available for housing, took account of any increase in railway freight charges and consequent rise in the cost of building materials.

Not at all—no increase in railway freight charges has as yet been imposed.

That is not my Question Can the Minister answer my Question which is how far a contemplated rise in freight charges was in his mind when he applied to the Chancellor for his quota and got it?

As no increase in freight charges has yet taken place, and as even if an increase, in freight charges does in fact take place we do not know to what extent, if at all, they will be increased, it is not possible for me to make the calculation.