§ Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 13 February,Official Report, columns 479–80, what advice he has received from the Council of Mortgage Lenders as to the likely effect of the proposed changes to income support towards mortgage repayments on the level of repossessions.
§ Mr. Roger EvansI have been asked to reply.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders has advised that it expects the number of repossessions to increase as a result of the proposed changes. We are listening carefully to its concerns but believe that these proposals will result in the development of comprehensive quality insurance and will provide better protection for all home owners, not just those who currently get help from income support mortgage interest.