§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to ensure that the major share 451W of new mortgages is directed to inner city areas and, in particular to housing action areas as more mortgages become available with the current credit relations.
§ Mr. ShoreBuilding societies have increased their lending on pre-1919 properties from 19 per cent. to 23 per cent. between 1975 and 1977. I have made it clear that I hope to see even more lending on older properties, and to those on lower incomes, in their normal course of business. The building societies have agreed to lend £267 million in the support scheme in 1978–79—nearly twice as much as in 1977–78. Local authorities in the inner areas have been allocated resources in their housing investment programmes for home loans, according to needs. Authorities are asked to give priority in their direct and support lending to those in urgent housing need, including those in housing action areas.