asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he plans to take to assist the housing association movement in Scotland to maintain the programme of housing for the elderly, physically and mentally handicapped, especially in regard to the years 1980–82 when many projects for these special needs are due for completion.

While decisions have still to be announced about the level of resources to be made available to housing associations in future, the associations will continue to be encouraged to give priority to the housing needs of special groups, and I do not expect that projects related to these needs which are due to be completed by 1982 will be delayed by resource constraints.