§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the policy of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on allocating grant aid as regards religious belief, what considerations underlay the questions as to the religious and political affiliation of households; and if he will ban the practice of seeking to obtain this information
§ Mr. MossThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am advised by its chief executive that completion of the religious affiliation question on the Executive's preliminary inquiry form for grants is optional and has no bearing whatsoever on either the executive's decision to accept or reject an application or the payment of any grant aid, which is made entirely on the basis of house condition and other eligibility factors. The question was introduced following a recommendation by the Standing Advisory Committee on Human Rights that the executive should monitor the impact of its policies and practices on each of the main sections of the community. The collection of this information has a valuable and important role to play in the promotion of equality of opportunity and equity for all the people of Northern Ireland. There are no questions about an applicant's political affiliation on the form.