§ 19. Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Health, if he is aware that the Horn-church local authority made an application to borrow £20,000 to make advances under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, and if he can inform the House why the loan was refused; that all local authorities are able to borrow money at a much cheaper rate of interest than they can obtain from the building societies; if he can give any reason why he advised the Hornchurch local authority that the prospective borrower should obtain money from the building societies; and if he will reconsider his decision?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Hilton Young)The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The application of the local authority has not been refused. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the letter addressed to the local authority to which as yet no reply has been received.