§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has or intends to issue guidance to district councils regarding the encouragement of private sector house building by the diversion of resources from the public sector programme similar to the instruction to East Kilbride Development Corporation contained in paragraph 2.60 of the Strathclyde structure plan as modified by his first review and alteration of that plan.
§ Mr. AncramThe passage referred to in my right hon. Friend's modification of the Strathclyde structure plan reflected the importance he attaches to the growth of private house building in Scotland. Similar considerations underlay the circular issued by the Scottish Development Department on 20 July 1983 (SDD 21/1983) to local authorities; in particular, the circular includes advice on joint venture schemes whereby authorities co-operate with builders to develop land in their ownership for low cost housing, and encourages authorities to review urgently their land holdings with a view to selling any that are surplus to requirements. Copies of the circular are in the Library.