asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of municipal houses qualifying for improvement grants, in the burghs of Buckhaven and Methil, Burntilsand, Kinghorn, and Kirkcaldy, respectively, at the latest convenient date.

Since improvement grants were introduced in 1949, grants have been approved for about 1,900, 550, 220 and 550 council houses in the four burghs, respectively.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that due to the overheating of the construction industry, which the Secretary of State admitted earlier, many local authorities will not be able to complete the improvement of their houses by June 1974 and qualify for the 75 per cent. grant? In view of that, will the hon. Gentleman reconsider the possibility of allowing houses approved for modernisation by June 1973 to rank for the 75 per cent. grant, even though they may not be completed by June 1974?

I appreciate the problem, but I am afraid that I cannot hold out any hope to the hon. Gentleman that there will be an extension of the present rules beyond June 1974. I ought to point out that the scheme was originally due to finish in June 1973. It has already been extended for a full year. The hon. Gentleman may find it useful to remember that we have made arrangements so that it is not necessary for an entire scheme to be completed by June 1974. If individual houses have been completed they will be able to be considered, and I hope that some burghs will be able to get some of these through.