25.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the housing survey; if the reports on county and burgh surveys are to be published separately as they are completed; and to what extent the survey is designed to show the amount of useful repair and renovation work which can quickly be done to existing houses in town and country.
My right hon. Friend has asked the associations of local authorities for their views on the making of this survey. It will not be possible to give any details until the associations have considered the matter.
Are we to understand that after the associations have provided recommendations to the Minister, he will then come to conclusions on this matter?
The position is that we are not entitled to go forward to make a survey without the co-operation of the local authorities. We are consulting with the local authorities' associations at the present time. It would be unfair of me to state any details, even of any schemes which we have put forward, until we have had those discussions with the authorities.