asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations his Department has had in the last year regarding tied cottages in Scotland (a) for their retention and (b) for their abolition; and from whom.

I have received various representations, mainly about agricultural tied houses. Their retention is favoured by the Scottish Agriculture and Forestry Section of the Transport and General Workers' Union, the National Farmers' Union of Scotland, the Scottish Landowners' Federation, the Aberdeen and District Milk Marketing Board, and Berwick County Council. Shelter has proposed general abolition of tied houses but recognises that certain categories of agriculture workers may require special treatment.