§ 5. Mr. Gibson-Wattasked the Secretary of State for Wales what total moneys have been made available to Welsh local authorities for house mortgage grants during the current financial year.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Edward Rowlands)I thank the hon. Gentleman for the kind words he expressed on my appointment, and I should like to pay tribute to my predecessor the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Ifor Davies). I hope that I can carry on the work on which he has been engaged for the last three years in my present post.
The answer to the Question is a figure of £4 million.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattWould the hon. Gentleman realise that there is a continuing anxiety on this matter since at various times in the recent past several important local authorities in Wales have not been able to get sufficient funds for this purpose?
§ Mr. RowlandsI am aware of the anxiety and we are trying to do everything we can for local authorities, especially those who have priority in that they have a good stock of older houses for which this type of finance is intended. I am seriously concerned about this matter.