The Minister of State gave figures in relation to housing loans and then he stated:
This shows a reduction on 1982 because loan facilities are now available from the Housing Finance Agency which has an approved budget of £50 million for 1983. Hence there is a substantial increase in the total amount of mortgage finance available.
In his budget statement the Minister for Finance informed us that £35 million extra was being raised through the Housing Finance Agency. In fact the total amount being increased for all finance for housing purposes in 1983 is only £3.86 million. How can the Minister state today that there is a substantial increase in the total amount of mortgage finance available, despite the fact that in my view, there is only a £3.86 million increase available to all loans. That does not tie in. I would like the Minister of State to explain what he means by his statement that there is a substantial increase in the total amount of mortgage finance available. I consider there is a reduction of £32 million.