asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the nuber of people who are getting married in this country at a young age, he will take steps to reduce the qualifying age for local authority housing loans from 21 to 18 years.

The difficulty here is connected with the age of majority, on the lowering of which the Minister for Justice has announced that a Bill is being prepared. I will also be considering whether it would be appropriate to include in a forthcoming Housing Bill, a provision enabling housing loans to be advanced to persons aged over 18 years or on earlier marriage.

Do I take it that the Minister supports the idea?

Yes.

25.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will ensure that there will be no delay in the payment of Housing Finance Agency loans.

The payment of Housing Finance Agency loans is a matter for the agency itself and the individual local authorities which administer the scheme on the agency's behalf. I understand from that agency that there is no under delay at present in the payment of approved loans.