I hope that it is not correct for it will mean that the problem ahead will be very serious indeed. I have heard that one of the reasons for delay is what might be called administrative bottlenecks at St. Andrew's House. I know that that is not unusual for over-centralisation to be blamed, and I should like to hear the Under-Secretary on this point that there are unnecessary delays over licences at St. Andrew's House.

Another matter which arises continually is the increasing occupation of the large buildings in the western part of the city for Government and public offices. That is always a bone of contention between the Town Council of Edinburgh and the Department of Health. I understood that there had been some gentleman's agreement as to the zone in which Government offices might spread within the City and beyond that they should not advance. I should like to know what the position is now, because I have been hearing that there have been encroachments upon dwelling houses beyond the zone which had been earmarked.

One other point is the quality of certain of the new permanent houses. I have been down to visit one or two of the houses in question because I have had complaints that the substitute used for timber for flooring is not satisfactory. The occupants of the houses seem to think it leads to dampness through condensation. Unfortunately I am not a builder, equipped with the necessary technical knowledge, but I know that in the Pilton area there have been a number of complaints about the quality of the new buildings and that part of the fault is attributed to the lack of timber. In some cases the floors are not regular, with the result that there is a certain lumpiness which is not attractive and gives an unfortunate impression. I would ask the Under Secretary to comment on that point.