§ Mr. Footasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many housing schemes submitted by local authorities have been rejected or modified by his Department; and for what reasons this action has been taken?
§ Mr. ElliotAs the hon. Member is aware, housing schemes of local authorities are often the subject of discussion with the Department of Health and when tender prices are high it is the practice of the Department to suggest for the consideration of the local authority minor modifications in construction by which saving can be effected. In no case, however, has the Department rejected tenders for housing schemes submitted by local authorities or required a local authority to reduce the number of houses contained in a scheme.