asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of grants which have been made to persons other than local authorities for the improvement of housing accommodation under the provisions of Section 9 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1949; and the average amount of such grants.

As local authorities deal with applications from private persons without reference to my Department, the information asked for is not available. I am, however, asking local authorities to submit a quarterly return of progress, the first to show the position at 31st March.