To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to implement the proposals contained in the Housing Executive document about rural unfitness entitled, "The Way Ahead".

Implementation of the proposals contained in "The Way Ahead" is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chairman that a number have already been put into practice. This has in some instances required detailed consultation with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland who will continue to support the executive's contribution to the rural initiative programme by responding as quickly as possible to any remaining policy issues.