asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state when he proposes to introduce the promised proposals for legislation to remove the difficulties in the way of local authorities desirous of advancing moneys under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act to borrowers in rural areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Small Dwellings (Acquisition) Act.
Proposals for legislation to remove the difficulties which have arisen will be introduced as early as possible.
I should like to draw the Minister's attention to the fact that I got a similar answer three months ago. The facts are that a large number of people built houses in the belief that they were going to obtain a loan from the county council only to find that the county council were legally debarred from giving them the money. As a result, a number of these people are threatened with writs by builders' providers. Could the Minister give an assurance that the county councils would pay the money and have the Bill made retrospective?
In the absence of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health I could not give the assurance.