§ 12. Mr. Alec Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated sum of money to be spent by local authorities in Wales for mortgages for house purchases this year; and how it compares with previous years.
§ 17. Mr. Gibson-Wattasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total grant for mortgages advanced to local authorities in Wales in each of the last three years; and what is the total planned for the forthcoming year.
§ Mr. George ThomasThe estimated sum to be advanced by local authorities in the financial year 1968–69 is £6.8 million and in the forthcoming year, £3 million, subject to review in six months' time. Local authorities advanced £6.8 million in 1967–68 and £9.6 million in 1966–67.
The Government do not give giants towards the cost of these advances.
§ Mr. JonesWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind, when allocating this diminishing sum of money, that in some areas—particularly the older industrial areas—people desirous of buying their own houses are far more dependent on local authority mortgages because of the reluctance of building societies to loan money?
§ Mr. ThomasI am aware of the difficulty to which my hon. Friend refers and I hope that local authorities will pay special attention to older property, with the resources at their command.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI recognise the seriousness of this matter generally, but will the right hon. Gentleman be able to publish a list of those Welsh local authorities which have no further mortgage moneys available to them for house purchase for 1969?
§ Mr. ThomasI am not sure whether the hon. Member is pressing me to increase the amount that should be 1503 available. I will consider his request, bearing in mind—as I trust he will—that public expenditure must be controlled.