§ 7. Mr. Murtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether it is the Government's intention that the 100 per cent. mortgage guarantee scheme shall be available only to those who choose an option mortgage.
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe Government only have power to enter into these arrangements to help those who take out an option mortgage.
§ Mr. MurtonIs it not rather unfair discrimination to keep the 100 per cent. mortgage to those who qualify for the option mortgage? Secondly, when are we to get this 100 per cent. mortgage? It was promised a year ago.
§ Mr. GreenwoodOn the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, there is a Question on the Order Paper to be answered later. With regard to the first part of his question, I am surprised that he should have asked it, because he was a member of the Standing Committee which considered the Bill and, therefore, knew its provisions at that time.
§ 12. Mr. Winnickasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when it is proposed to introduce the Government scheme for 100 per cent mortgage advances to those wishing to purchase a house.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Roebuck) on 21st November.—[Vol. 754, c. 296]
§ Mr. WinnickDoes the Minister realise that once the scheme is introduced it will help many people on average incomes to buy their own homes? Could he explain why this scheme and the mortgage option scheme were never considered or introduced before we came into office?
§ Mr. GreenwoodIt would be beyond me to answer the last part of my hon. Friend's question. The whole purpose of the 100 per cent. guarantee was to make it much easier for people of modest 211 means to get mortgages. We have to wait and see what the position is and how much the building societies have available before any different answer can be made to my hon. Friend. I should tell him that the Ministry is today having discussions with the Building Societies Association and the insurance companies on this very matter.
§ Mr. Frederic HarrisIs there a genuine change of heart by the Government in this matter, because they have been deliberately dragging their feet since their promise in 1964, when they said that they would bring these option mortgages in and the 100 per cent. scheme?
§ Mr. GreenwoodThere has been no dragging of feet on our part. Hon. and right hon. Gentlemen opposite dragged their feet for 13 years. We have put the legislation through, and the hon. Gentleman must know perfectly well that the option mortgage scheme comes into operation on 1st April next year.