asked the Minister for the Environment if he proposes to change the method of allocating houses to applicants on local authority housing lists; and, if so, if he will give details of his proposed changes.

The answer is "no".

If that is the case, and I accept the Minister's word, would he explain why the housing circular sent out on 31 August this year states specifically that applicants for local authority houses will be reviewed via-à-vis their PAYE certificates—that applicants for housing in the normal traditional way will be asked to produce PAYE certificates? Would the Minister like to comment on that, if it is not the intention of the Department to change the system of allocation?

The Deputy may not be aware of it, but it is open to local housing authorities to propose changes as they see fit in the method of allocating houses, subject to the provisions of section 60 of the 1966 Housing Act. During the years amendments have been proposed by housing authorities for approval by the Minister. Section 60 lays down schemes of allocations proposed by housing authorities and approved by the Minister.

That is an evasive reply. I asked the Minister in the written question and in my first supplementary if it is the Department's proposal to introduce some kind of a request for a PAYE certificate of income in respect of anybody who applies for a local authority house. His first answer was "no", and his supplementary gave me a description of the procedure and stated that local authorities may amend their letting priority schemes. As far as I am aware, no local authority has proposed such an alteration. The only proposal to do so has come from the Department.

This is argument.

The position is that local authorities must satisfy themselves before they re-house persons that those persons are not in a position to re-house themselves out of their own resources. Then it is only reasonable to assume that local authorities must inquire into an applicant's income.

Why was that provision included in that housing circular? I presume the Minister is aware of and has read the circular.

This is routine procedure. Local authorities are advised from time to time by the Department to examine carefully all re-housing applications.

Is the Minister suggesting that it is routine procedure that applicants for local authority houses are asked to produce certificates of income by way of their PAYE certificate.

It is routine procedure for housing authorities to examine applications of persons seeking re-housing, and that includes their incomes. If local authorities decide that the best way they can do it in respect of wage or salary earners is to get their PAYE certificates, they are correct in doing so.

The Minister has said the Government have not proposed to change the method of letting houses. Can we take it therefore that the reference in the Government's Green Paper to the increasing scrutiny with which local authority housing applicants would be met does not mean a change in the allocation methods, or has that option been closed down?

There is no question of a change. The allocation of housing is a matter for the local authorities. Members of local authorities are well aware of the situation.

Is it open to a local authority when making letting regulations to prescribe that people on the basis of whose original applications a particular scheme was built—I am referring particularly to provincial rather than urban areas—should be first satisfied before new applicants would be considered? Is it open to local authorities to make such a proposal to the Minister, and would he consider that?

Such a question is material for a separate question on the Order Paper.

It has to do with letting. I am asking the Minister if the change would be allowable?

I would consider it if it were forwarded by a housing authority.

It would be open for consideration?

A local authority could make a proposal to the Department for a change in the scheme.

Will the Minister say whether local authorities can therefore ignore the reference in the circular to PAYE certificates?

That is a separate question.

The Minister is wasting a lot of civil servants' time.

17.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any proposals to review the local authority housing differential rent scheme, with a view to increasing the revenue to local authorities from their housing stock.

The national differential rents scheme for local authority dwellings provides for an annual review of the terms of the scheme and an annual general review of incomes for the purpose of reassessing rents. A preliminary review of the terms of the scheme is being carried out in my Department and any proposed alterations or modifications of the terms of the scheme arising from that review will have regard to the increased cost to local authorities of managing and maintaining their housing estates.

Will that review involve consultation with the National Association of Tenants' Organisations?

Yes. Any proposed alterations or modifications of the terms of the scheme will be the subject of discussions between officials of this Department, local authority representatives and representatives of NATO.