§ Mr. MandelsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the interest on accrued mortage interest arrears over the first 16 weeks of an income support claim will continue to be met by his Department after 25 May.
§ Mr. BurtYes. Help with the interest on arrears of interest accrued as a result of the 50 per cent. restriction on income support mortgage interest payments during the first 16 weeks of claims from people under age 60 has been available since the restriction was introduced. We have no plans to change this.
§ Mr. MandelsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the transaction costs payable by building societies to his Department as a consequence of the new regulations introduced to allow direct payment of income support mortgage interest costs from his Department to the building mortgage interest costs from his Department to the building societies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Central (Mr. Watson) on 8 July.