HC Deb 01 November 1976 vol 918 cc503-4W
Mr. Welsh

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which working parties are currently being sponsored by the Scottish Office with regard to housing in Scotland; and if he will list the subject areas with which they are dealing.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

The following working parties and committees concerned specifically with housing are convened and serviced by the Scottish OfficeScottish Housing Advisory Committee: a statutory standing committee; two current subcommittees—Housing Finance, providing advice for the Scottish Housing Finance Review, and Housing Management Training. Working Party on the Assessment of Housing Needs: set up to prepare a manual of guidance for local authorities. Housing Plans Working Party: concerned with policy and programme planning for local housing authorities. Housing Finance Working Party: concerned with local authority housing finance. Scottish Housing Association Grant Working Group: reviews the cost limits for housing association projects and housing association grant allowances.

The Scottish Development Department also participates in joint working parties—e.g. with the Department of the Environment, Edinburgh University, and the Scottish Special Housing Association. on computer-aided architectural design, and with the Scottish Special Housing Association, on non-traditional houses.