asked the Minister for the Environment if he will introduce a system of realistic grants and assisted loans for house purchasers to be available on the basis of need and income in view of the increasing costs of housing.

Generous assistance is available for the purchase of houses by way of £1,000 new house grants; the recently announced subsidy of building societies interest rates; the house purchase loans from housing authorities and the subsidised low-rise mortgage loans. Additionally, house purchasers benefit from relief of income tax on the interest on their loans the maximum amount of which was recently doubled to £4,800 per annum for married couples. There is also relief of stamp duty on new houses.

It is not possible on cost grounds to consider any new form of assistance along the lines suggested by the Deputy.

16.