§ 19. Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for increasing the housing supply in Scotland in the next two years.
§ Mr. AncramThe Government will continue to seek to maximise the capital resources available to meet local authorities' housing needs, although the proportion of those resources devoted to increasing the housing stock is entirely for the authorities themselves to decide. Within the overall resources available for housing expenditure, we also intend continuing to give full support through the Housing Corporation to housing associations, the bulk of whose efforts will be devoted to the provision of housing for rent.
Planning authorities have been asked to ensure that structure plans make provision for at least a four-year supply of land for private housing. When structure plans and alterations thereto are submitted for his approval my right hon. and learned Friend considers whether sufficient land is allocated for private housing and, where necessary, makes modifications to increase the amount of land so allocated.