asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that trade unions are prohibited from investing their funds for the purpose of building houses for letting to their members; and, if so, if he will introduce proposals for the necessary amending legislation.

I am not aware that trade unions are prohibited from investing their funds for the purpose of building houses for letting to their members and the second part of the Deputy's question does not therefore arise. It is open to any trade union, whose existing rules do not provide for the use of the funds in this manner, to amend the rules suitably and to submit the amendment to the Registrar of Friendly Societies for registration.