§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the progress being made in talks between local authorities and building societies on the question of finance for mortgages for house purchase and improvement.
§ Mr. FreesonThe talks are continuing, but already a large measure of agreement has been reached on ways of achieving closer co-operation between individual local authorities and building societies. Preliminary guidance to their members has been given by the Building Societies Association and the local authority associations, and there is now evidence that the nomination scheme is beginning to operate effectively in most areas. A further joint meeting will be held on 1st July.