asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made regarding the modernisation or otherwise by the Scottish Special Housing Association of the houses currently owned by the National Coal Board in Denbeath, Methil; and whether the cuts in the Scottish Special Housing Association budgets in 1980–81 will necessitate a further delay of this project.

The SSHA's original proposals for the modernisation of NCB houses at Denbeath were much too costly and my Department has been discussing with it how a cheaper scheme could be devised. The association is still considering what changes in its programme will be needed in the light of the reductions in public expenditure.