asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the weighting of the points system of housing allocation in respect of size of family, and in order to obviate the need for misuse in family size irrespective of individual parents' wishes in the matter, he will undertake a review of the points allocation system to remove this and other anomalies.

There is no national scheme of letting priorities, either on a points system or otherwise. In accordance with section 60 of the Housing Act, 1966, each housing authority formulate their own scheme of letting priorities for their area, having due regard to the general objectives defined in that section, which include the elimination of unfitness and overcrowding in dwellings. Letting schemes are, however, subject to my approval. I will consider sympathetically any proposals for new letting schemes, or for amendments to existing schemes which are intended to ensure fair treatment for small, as well as for large families, provided that the proposals are compatible with the defined general objectives.