§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what information his Department has about local authority lending schemes where building society participation would be beneficial;
(2) what Scottish Office-sponsored discussions have taken place between the building societies and local authorities in order to give help where local authorities are compelled to curtain their mortgage lending.
§ Mr. William RossIn view of the general need to contain public expenditure, the co-operation of building societies may be helpful in meeting some of the demands for borrowing which local authorities might otherwise have been prepared to meet, and I am initiating discussions.