asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the total annual cost to local authorities in Scotland of providing pitches or sites for gipsies and tinkers residing in, or resorting to, the local authority areas concerned.

Approved capital costs incurred by Scottish local authorities in providing sites for travelling people are met by 100 per cent. specific grant from my Department; for 1981–82 these costs are estimated at £0·6 million. Management cost are not eligible for specific grant and information on such costs is not held centrally.