---

Housing and the Credit Crunch

I ask the hon. Gentleman to reconsider the wording. It is my understanding that the mortgage rescue scheme was originally designed on the basis that probably about 6,000 families would fit its eligibility criteria and that the money was therefore set aside accordingly. That is a slightly more accurate description than suggesting that the scheme has failed if it does not reach 6,000 people. As I pointed out, we do not have the data to know whether 6,000 people met the eligibility requirement, were in danger of repossession and therefore needed the money.