HC Deb 16 December 1958 vol 597 cc935-6
3. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what representations he has received concerning the effect of Government loans on mortgage rates as a result of the meeting of the Council of the Building Societies' Association on I2th December last.

Mr. H. Brooke

None, Sir.

Miss Burton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is in the same position as I am, for neither of us has had a reply? Would the right hon. Gentle

man feel able to ask the Council's secretary whether he would have the courtesy to reply to me, if not to him, or does he feel that the Council is ashamed of the decision which it has taken?

Mr. Brooke

In my case, there is no question of a reply. I have not asked the Association a question on this matter.

20. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, before making a loan to any building society, he will ascertain that mortgages granted by the society as a result of Government loan are conditioned by the credit-worthiness of the applicant and not by the sex.

Mr. H. Brooke

While I am sure that the majority of members of the Building Societies' Association do as the association says and make no discrimination between men and women applicants for mortgages, I intend, as my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary said in reply to the hon. Lady yesterday, to discuss this matter further with the association.

Miss Burton

As it has taken some six weeks to catch the right hon. Gentleman, and as he will not surface again for at least another twelve, if I put down a Question on this important matter will he answer it on the date the Question appears even if it is not reached?

Mr. Brooke

I should not like to give an undertaking like that without first seeing the Question. If the hon. Lady would care to give me any of the detailed information which she said last night she might feel able to give me to help me to pursue my inquiries, I shall be grateful to her.

Mr. L. M. Lever

Is it not a fact that ladies applying to building societies for advances are consistently asked for a male guarantor?

Mr. Brooke

No, Sir. The building societies make some 300.000 advances a year and the hon. Lady has quoted 11 cases where a male guarantor has been demanded. This is a matter which I am anxious to discuss with the Building Societies' Association, as, I think, the hon. Lady would wish.

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