§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what cost estimate he has made for a grant to improve the rate of restoration of old property on the islands of Bute, Cumbrae, and Arran.
§ Mr. RossI assume that my hon. Friend refers to improvement grants under the Housing (Scotland) Acts. For private property these are generally at the discretion of the local authority, subject to the statutorily-prescribed limits which may be exceeded only with the concurrence of the Secretary of State. In view of this discretion I have made no estimate of cost for these islands.