asked the Minister for the Environment the present position with regard to certificates of reasonable value and if he will make a statement on the matter.

At present, building societies, banks, assurance companies and local authorities are all implementing the Government decision that CRVs be required for all loans for the purchase of new houses and flats. They are also a requirement of new house grants and of exemption from stamp duty in the case of grant type houses.

Is it the case now that all houses being built have certificates of reasonable value?

No. If a person is building his own house on his own plot he has a certificate of exemption.

How about houses for public sale?

A CRV is necessary.

Are there certificates of reasonable value for all new houses being sold on the open market?

The lending agencies are implementing what was required of them. They are looking for CRVs before a loan is made available and grant-aided houses also require CRVs.

That includes builders about whom we had previous discussions, members of the Minister's own party? Are such builders now getting CRVs where heretofore they disregarded such a necessity?

We will never be able to satisfy——

I must discourage the system where a Deputy gets on his feet and stays there asking a series of questions while the Minister is still on his feet. We must bring back some semblance of decorum.

I am discouraged.

4.