What assessment he has made of the effect on the housing market in Scotland of the fiscal measures introduced in the 2009 Budget.

The UK Government's assessment is that the Budget measures are providing real help now to existing and aspirant home owners.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the alarming findings reported in today's edition of The H erald about the low take-up of schemes to help home owners in Scotland? Will she discuss with the Scottish Government ways of ensuring that my constituents and hers can get the same benefits that home owners are getting in other parts of the UK?

I very much share my hon. Friend's concerns about the report that was issued today and reported in T he Herald. Some 81 per cent. of agencies helping people across Scotland said that they knew that conditions imposed in the scheme were much more difficult for the people in the most desperate need and facing repossession. I do not want to see home owners in Scotland getting less protection than is already enjoyed in England. That is why I hope that the Scottish Government will act very quickly on the recommendations made by the repossessions working group and provide free legal advice in any court proceedings to everyone facing repossession.