asked the Minister for the Environment what changes are planned by his Department in the whole system of housing finance.

The Deputy is, no doubt, aware of the significant changes that have taken place in recent months in the area of housing finance, such as the introduction of the £1,000 new house grant scheme for first time owner-occupiers, the raising of the loan and income limits for local authority house purchase loans and the abolition of the "claw-back" arrangement. Other measures which I hope to announce shortly include a new scheme of house improvement grants and revised arrangements for the renting and sale to tenants of local authority dwellings.

Is there a new sales scheme coming into effect for local authority tenants?

Yes.