§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has received from Councillor Gordon Murray of Cumbernauld concerning housing modernisation and improvements in the Balloch, Ravenswood, Seafar North and Carbrain East areas of Cumbernauld new town; if he will place a copy of his response in the Library; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonDuring my visit to Cumbernauld and Kilsyth district council on 16 February, Councillor Murray gave me a letter about the distribution of resources for housing projects within the district. I do260W not consider it appropriate for me to place a copy of Councillor Murray's letter in the Library, or a copy of the reply.
§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria his Department applies to district councils seeking grants for housing modernisation and improvements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Scottish Development Department does not give grants to district councils for this purpose. Capital allocations for local authorities' housing capital programmes are determined each year, within the aggregate public expenditure resources that can be made available, on the basis of the relative needs of individual authorities.
§ Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent advice his Department has given to district councils on the allocation of grants for having modernisation and improvements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Scottish Development Department issued a circular to local authorities on 16 January advising them of an amendment to the scheme of assistance for eligible owners of houses designed as defective under part XIV of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. The Department also issued a circular on 14 June 1989 concerning the preparation of housing plans by authorities and the relationship of these to capital programmes.