§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce new measures that will help first-time home buyers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe most important way in which first-time buyers, and indeed all home buyers, will be helped is through continued improvement in the general economy. Measures that my Department is taking to encourage home ownership include the new rent-to-mortgage scheme, which will enable secure tenants of local authorities and certain other bodies to buy their homes on a mortgage that costs no more than their rent.