§ Mr. Stevensasked the Prime Minister which Department is responsible for policy on the extension of option mortgage schemes to elderly home-owners on low incomes who wish to purchase home income plan life annuities.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has the lead responsibility for the option mortgage scheme, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is responsible for social security policy; but any question of extending the option mortgage scheme in the way my hon. Friend suggests would involve the interests of a number of different Departments and would be 543W for consideration jointly by the Ministers concerned.