asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, with a view to the discouragement of fraudulent claims for social security payments, he will consider the desirability of the Housing Executive requiring receipts for payments for work done as a condition of the payment of improvement and repair grants on private houses.

The prime requirement for the payment of a house renovation grant is the completion to a satisfactory standard of all the work specified by the Housing Executive. The sub mission of receipted builders' accounts is not a prior condition for payment of grant.I am reluctant to introduce a procedure which might hold back claims from the less well-off for grants to combat housing unfitness and disrepair; particularly as, it is doubtful if it would be an effective discouragement to fraudulent social security claims.