asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the report on second homes in the countryside entitled "No Place in the Country" published by Shelter, a copy of which has been sent to him ; and if he will take action designed to deal with the problems it describes.

We have noted the recommendations made and will be considering them together with other information and reports on the same subject. Provision will be made in forthcoming legislation to implement the Government's intention to prescribe the payment of improvement grants for second homes, as announced in the White Paper "Better Homes: The Next Priorities" (Cmnd. 5339).