asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost to public funds of discounts to tenants of charitable housing associations in 1984–85; and what is the likely cost in 1985–86.

The cost to public funds of the home-ownership scheme in 1984–85 was £3·45 million out of an allocation of £10 million. It is too early to give a precise estimate of the costs of the scheme in 1985–86. Provision for the year is £17 million, to which will be added the underspend on the scheme last year.