asked the Minister for Defence if the recently announced tenant purchase scheme announced by the Minister for the Environment extends to what is described as overholders, that is members who are still residing in quarters rented from the Defence Forces at the time of their retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Former members of the Permanent Defence Force who are overholding married quarters will be eligible to participate in the proposed purchase scheme.

Can I take it that those people will have the same rights as everybody else as far as local authority tenancy is concerned?

At the time the last scheme was announced there was a discount of 3 per cent allowed for each year of occupancy, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent and a discount of £2,000 in lieu of the £2,000 new house grant payable to first time purchasers. The question of whether a revised discount available under the 1988 local authority tenant purchase scheme should be available to the occupants of married quarters is at present under consideration by the Departments of Defence and the Environment. An early decision is expected.

Is the Minister aware that there are large numbers of such houses being held by persons in this category? Do I take it that this is a special deal that may or may not be worked out between the Departments involved, that such people have not the same degree of right to the provisions of the tenant purchase scheme as announced by the Minister for the Environment a few months ago as would every other tenant of a local authority house? I should like the Minister to be very specific about that.

The very latest one announced less than a month ago is a separate issue. They were eligible under the provisions of the previous scheme.

I am talking about this latest one.

Their eligibility under the provisions of this one is at present being discussed by the Ministers involved and an early decision is expected.

In other words, as of now, they are not eligible?

The question has not yet been finally decided. It is at present being examined by the Ministers in question. I will convey the Deputy's views to the Minister, asking him to expedite that decision.