§ 14. Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next hopes to meet representatives of building societies and banks on the level of mortgage repossessions in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, Mid Glamorgan and Wales.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettI met the building societies liaison committee for Wales recently. We maintain regular contact with mortgage lenders in Wales about repossessions and other matters of common interest.
§ Mr. RowlandsDoes the Minister realise that in the first nine months of this year, there was an increase of 25 per cent. in repossession orders in Merthyr and Rhymney? Many of the householders affected are not in receipt of income support or any other benefit. Did the Minister put to the building societies any Government proposals to 14 safeguard those communities, householders and homes? After all, his policy is partly responsible for the repossession orders.
§ Mr. BennettAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said earlier, any repossession is a matter of great tragedy to the family and to society. We can offer those people the hope that, with the reductions in interest rates and in the rate of inflation and with the welcome reduction in unemployment in Wales last month, the economic situation is improving. The way forward is for everybody to work together, including the mortgage lenders and the rest of the people involved in housing in Wales, including Housing for Wales, on finding ways to help people who have lost their homes.