asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has received of the likely number of private sector housing starts in 1975; and if he will make a further statement on the difficulties of the housing construction industry.

I am not prepared to make an estimate. Starts are likely to be affected by the backlog of houses completed last year but unsold because of the shortage of mortgage funds. But we announced a package of measures at the beginning of this year to stimulate the private house building market and the mortgage situation has improved significantly in recent months. In April, moreover, we agreed important stabilisation arrangements with the Building Societies Association. I am sure that the measures we have taken will do much to restore confidence in the industry.