asked the Minister for Local Government if, having considered the matter, he now is prepared to raise—and, if so, to what extent— the present ceiling on the market value of houses for qualification under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts; and, further, if he will state the percentage of value to be permitted as loan.

I propose, with the consent of the Minister for Finance to raise the existing limit on the market value of houses in respect of which advances may be made by a local authority under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts from £1,750 to £2,000 and to advise local authorities to confine advances to new houses, and to 80 per cent. of the market value of such houses.