Video: New Secretary of State Brandon Lewis mixed up Ireland and Scotland when he was British Housing Minister

Mr. Lewis, who was British Minister for Housing and Planning at the time, was asked about 'right-to-buy' by the former SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie.

The minister told the South Down MP that it was primarily a devolved matter for the 'Scottish Government'.

This led to cries from across the house that Ms. Ritchie was a representative for 'Northern Ireland!'

"Other than the right-to-buy scheme, what funding options has the Minister explored to provide social housing?" asked the former SDLP leader.

"Where I come from, the right-to-buy scheme—within the Housing Executive but not within a housing association—simply removes social houses from those who cannot afford to provide a home for themselves," she added.

Mr. Lewis replied: "As I said earlier, I cannot speak for the Scottish Government, although I do encourage them to build more houses. [Hon. Members: 'Northern Ireland!'] The whole point of this scheme is that, for every house that is sold, an extra home will be built."