asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have reported to the Department that they are seriously overcommitted in the field of housing expenditure and are having difficulty in meeting the provisions of Circular 64/75.

So far, 89 local authorities have informed my Department that they had, by the date of Circular 64/75, and on the basis of advances actually made or committed, exceeded the restriction placed on lending for house purchase by the circular.