asked the Minister for Finance when he proposes to grant trustee status to building societies.

I indicated in the course of my reply to a parliamentary question on 18th November, 1976, that the question of granting trustee status to building societies would be activated as soon as the Building Societies Bill became law. Following the enactment of the Bill in December, consultations with the societies on the qualifying criteria have been completed. A draft order under the Trustee (Authorised Investments) Act, 1958, has now been prepared and I propose to lay it before the House for approval as soon as the necessary consultations required under that Act have been complied with.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say when the order is likely to be laid before the House?

I hope to be in a position to lay the draft order before the House before the end of April.