13. Mr. A. Cecil Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will adjust the limiting value of £15,000 for the purposes of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts to take account of the rise in prices.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Chris Patten)I am not aware of any need for increased public sector provision of home loans, given the substantially increased volume of building society money that has been provided for mortgages in recent years. I am anxious to maintain the impetus towards greater home ownership and will be glad to look into cases of difficulty in securing home loans from the private sector.
Mr. WalkerThere has been no movement in the limiting factor of £15,000 since 1978, and I hope that the Minister recognises that. Will he look with sympathy on the fact that in some instances people cannot get mortgages from the Housing Executive or from the other statutory agencies, and bear in mind that this procedure is useful?
§ Mr. PattenWhat is important is that the demand for home loans should be met. At present there is no evidence that it is not being met. I am pleased to say that the figures for private sector building in Northern Ireland are at record-breaking levels. Last year building societies lent £270 million in Northern Ireland, and so far this year they have lent £165 million.