§ 18. Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received regarding changes in benefit to meet mortgage interest payments. [27618]
§ Mr. Roger EvansA number.
§ Mr. PikeDoes the Minister recognise that, despite what was said in response to questions earlier this afternoon, the only free thing about the Skipton building society is the free publicity that it is receiving from the Government in the form of answers to questions? Is it not true that the Government can no longer claim that they are the friend of the house owner when that house owner runs into difficulty?
§ Mr. EvansThe answer to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's question is no. Far from receiving free publicity, the Skipton building society has behaved in a thoroughly responsible fashion.
As a socialist, the hon. Gentleman might have bothered to notice that the margins of building societies and lenders are at an historic high of nearly 2 per cent. and that they are in a position to help their borrowers in times of adversity. The report by Special Risks Services showed clearly that many lenders will now introduce free insurance in such circumstances and that prudent lenders will do so universally.
§ Mr. DewarAs the Minister has praised the Skipton building society for its responsible approach to the problem, will he comment on its clear view that the Government have got it wrong and on its opposition to their plans?
§ Mr. EvansThat is not so, as one can see if one reads all the statements of the Skipton building society. Ultimately, it will introduce the scheme and that is the important thing.