8. Earl of Dalkeithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will introduce higher improvement grants for modernising old houses to take account of increased building costs since the last occasion on which the maximum grant payable was fixed.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonProposals for higher maximum granted were published in July in our White Paper, The Older Houses in Scotland: A Plan for Action. The legislation implementing these proposals will be introduced as soon as possible.
Earl of DalkeithDoes the Minister think that the increased grant will be 1263 sufficient to encourage the modernisation of these houses, which we all agree was far too slow in the past? This shows that even the initial grants were too low. Therefore, any increases must be higher relatively than they were originally if we are to achieve what we want.
§ Dr. MabonI hope so. I am pleased with the self-critical note which the hon. Gentleman introduced in respect of his Government's performance in previous years.