§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the 593 applications for Housing Executive loans which were under consideration at 30th September 1973 are still outstanding, at the most recent convenient date; and what plans he has for speeding up consideration of such applications.
§ Mr. David HowellOf the 593 applications under consideration at 30th September 1973, 466 were still outstanding on 24th October 1973. The need to alter interest rates caused some delay in this period. Given the need for necessary safeguards, the average time of six to eight weeks to deal with an application is not likely to be reduced.