HC Deb 18 February 1986 vol 92 cc137-8W
23. Mr. Holt

asked the Paymaster General, under the Manpower Services Commission's employment transfer scheme, how many unemployed people have been given financial assistance towards the whole or part of a deposit on a new home.

Mr. Lang

The employment transfer scheme pays a transfer grant, which is intended to help with the incidental expenses of moving to a new area and may be used, among other things, as a contribution to the deposit on a house. Since 7 May 1985, 1,380 people have received such a transfer grant but it is not known what percentage have used the grant for the deposit for the purchase of a house. In addition, direct assistance is given with the legal costs of buying a house in appropriate cases.