HC Deb 26 June 1986 vol 100 cc309-10W
Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any plans to encourage housing developments in small rural villages.

Mr. Ancram

It is for the district and islands councils, as the statutory housing authorities, to assess local housing needs and plan developments wherever they consider appropriate, within the resources allocated to them. Similarly it is for the Housing Corporation to decide how its resources are to be distributed geographically, after consultations with all interested parties. I have, however, encouraged the Housing Corporation to pay particular attention to the contribution which the housing association movement can make to meeting the housing needs of rural areas.