Local Authority Mortgages

Mr. Stainton
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with local authorities about mortgage advances for house purchases; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that local authority mortgage interest rates are kept down to a level comparable with building society interest rates.

Mr. Freeson
Deputations from a number of local authorities have been received at ministerial and official level.This is a very difficult problem and I am still looking for a way through it.