§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current and specific remit of the national housing agency, Scottish Homes. [24116]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Housing (Scotland) Act 1988 established Scottish Homes and gave it a wide range of functions and powers to promote housing in Scotland. Scottish Homes' current aim, which reflects the Government's objective for housing in Scotland and is endorsed by my right hon. Friend, is to ensure the quality of housing and variety of housing options available in Scotland are substantially improved. It has six specific main objectives to achieve this aim. These were set out in Scottish Homes' recently published strategic plan for the period up to 1997–98.