Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has received from local authorities concerning the increase in mortgage repayment arrears among those holding local authority mortgages.
§ Mr. ArmstrongLocal authorities are not required to notify the Department of levels of mortgage repayment arrears, and such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Details of arrears in some areas which have come to my notice incidentally as a result of inquiries into other matters suggest that, whilst arrears have risen in recent months, they do not at present give cause for serious concern.