asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of a proposal whereby local authorities may purchase privately constructed new and secondhand houses for letting to eligible applicants.

Details of this scheme are being finalised as a matter of urgency in my Department and a circular letter dealing with the matter will issue to housing authorities shortly.

Will the Minister say whether a special capital allocation will be made available to local authorities to enable them enter into discussions and to purchase privately constructed new or secondhand houses as proposed? If so, will he indicate precisely when he will inform local authorities of his intentions in this matter?

No, the normal housing allocation will apply to this type of purchase of houses.