asked the Minister for Local Government if he will immediately inform local authorities of the terms under which they may sell local authority houses to tenants who applied to purchase them since 1st January, 1976.

I hope to be in a position in the very near future to indicate to local authorities the terms on which they may sell houses for which purchase applications are received from tenants after 31st December, 1975.

We are now into June, six months since the scheme went out of date——

Five months and one day to be precise.

——and surely the Minister appreciates that this is a long period for people to have to wait for a purchase scheme.

Anybody in a hurry to purchase would have done so before 31st December last since they would have to pay more after that date. I do not think many people are suffering hardship but there are a number who are anxious to buy and I hope to have a decision in the very near future.

Before June 10th?

It may not be possible to have it before that date but, as always, I shall do my best.