§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) following correspondence with the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South, concerning housing in the Southhouse area of Edinburgh, what action he has taken with Edinburgh Corporation and other local authorities in Scotland to ensure that future tenders, specifications, supervision and contract terms covering local authority houses are clear, defined and watertight; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what steps he has taken with Edinburgh Corporation and other local authorities in Scotland to ensure that in local authority house building each stage is clearly watched and tested and the materials approved by the clerk of works or other appropriate official.
§ Mr. RossI cannot intervene in particular issues arising from contracts to which I am not a party, but I expect to send to local authorities soon a circular giving general guidance on contracting procedures, with particular reference to contracts in which the builder is also responsible for the design, and also on the supervision of building work.