§ 11. Mr. Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider making the special house-building grants, presently available to crofters in the seven crofting counties, available to non-crofting residents in those counties who wish to build their own homes.
§ Mr. YoungerNo, Sir. Non-crofting residents will benefit from the action my right hon. Friend will be taking to encourage home ownership throughout the country.
§ Mr. GrayWould my hon. Friend be prepared to consider, in that event, the extension of the 100 per cent. mortgage facilities which are available to persons buying old properties to people building new houses in the crofting areas?
§ Mr. YoungerThe local authoritties have power to do that but, as my hon. Friend knows, Ross and Cromarty has particularly difficult problems of housing. It has done exceptionally well in the provision of housing for industrial development, and I hope to meet the authority soon to discuss its problems.