Mr. Philip Nugent:

Any house purchaser under the shared ownership scheme who is experiencing difficulties with mortgage arrears and has a mortgage from the local authority will be covered by the mortgage arrears resolution process. Structures are in place, therefore, and the shared ownership scheme is also being examined as part of the review of Part V announced in the Government housing policy last year. Some longer term and more fundamental changes to the shared ownership scheme may arise from the review, including how to deal with people who are approaching the end of the 20-year lease period and how to work them through the process in terms of their tenure options at the end of the process.