§ 17. Mr. Barnettasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what changes he is proposing to make in the mortgage option scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonMy right hon. Friend is exploring ways of improving the option mortgage scheme.
§ Mr. BarnettYes, but will the Minister of Housing insist that the building societies do not obstruct a more flexible scheme, which would allow people to opt in or out of the scheme, as was clearly implied by everything that the right hon. Gentleman has ever said?
§ Mr. ChannonAs I said in my original reply, we are exploring ways of making the scheme flexible. I am sure that there is good will on both sides, among the building societies and ourselves, in attempts to make this scheme more flexible. It is being re-examined.
§ Mr. EmeryIn considering the flexibility, will my hon. Friend make sure that he bears in mind the more elderly, those over 55, who still may want to use the mortgage option scheme and who have as much right to use it as have some younger people?
§ Mr. ChannonI will bear my hon. Friend's views very much in mind in our discussions with the building societies.