§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has on assistance with mortgage interest payments provided for persons on supplementary benefit, or the equivalent, in EEC and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.
§ Mr. MajorWe have no detailed comprehensive information about the assistance with mortgage interest payments given to persons receiving social assistance in all European Community and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. From the information we do have we understand the following countries provide some direct cash assistance with housing costs to home buyers (and tenants) subject to specified conditions:
and the following countries provide help for tenants only:
- Australia
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Denmark
- Netherlands
- Sweden.