§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional assistance since February has been given to housing authorities to improve the rate of house building in the public sector.
§ Mr. William RossAs the level of financial assistance to housing authorities is directly related to the increase in their expenditure from year to year, the considerably increased number of approvals and starts this year will attract correspondingly increased assistance. I have modified tendering requirements, to speed up progress and meet local difficulties in the construction industry. In July, I made, with the consent of this House, an order increasing by £60 million the upper limit on advances to the Scottish Special Housing Association.
The Housing Rents and Subsidies (Scotland) Bill, to be introduced this Session, will increase the level of support available to authorities faced with increasing housing expenditure.