UK new construction orders in the second quarter of the year rose 9 pct from the first three months of the year and from the same period last year, figures from the Department of Trade and Industry showed. Private housing orders in the second quarter rose by 24 pct compared with the previous quarter, and by 26 pct when compared with the same quarter a year earlier. Public housing and housing association orders in the second quarter of 2005 rose by 23 pct compared to the previous quarter, but fell by 7 pct compared to the same quarter a year earlier. Meanwhile, infrastructure orders in the second quarter of 2005 rose by 13 pct compared with the previous quarter, and by 17 pct when compared to the same quarter a year earlier.