8. Mr. DonaldStewart asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now raise the level of grant and loan for the building of crofter housing.
§ Mr. YoungerI refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan) on 18 February. As I said then, I am currently reviewing the levels of assistance available under the present scheme, but it is too early to say what the outcome will be.
Mr. StewartDoes the right hon. Gentleman accept that four years have gone by since the figures were last raised and that there have been considerable increases in the costs of materials and labour? Ought he not, in fairness, to make adjustments along these lines? Does he also accept that this scheme is still a fair bargain for local authorities, that might have to expend £30,000 on providing a local authority house when a crofter might require accommodation?
§ Mr. YoungerI appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's comment, and these are some of the matters that I shall take into account in my review. However, as I am sure he will know, the scheme as it stands still represents a good deal for the crofters, too, considering that the maximum amount of aid that can be got for a house is £4,000 and that the rate of interest is 3⅛per cent., which must be an advantage in present conditions.