§ Mr. Trewasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage home ownership.
§ Mr. AmeryThe removal of the monetary ceiling on local authority lending to the priority classes which I announced on 24th March should make a substantial contribution to the expansion of home ownership; the increase in the S.A.Y.E. limit assist the inflow of 189W funds to the building societies; the abolition of stamp duty on mortgages will mean some reduction in the initial outlay on house purchase; and other measures announced in the Budget statement and the recent cut in Bank Rate should encourage recovery in the house-building industry to the benefit of prospective house purchasers. I am considering certain other matters but am not yet in a position to make a statement about them.