asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reaffirm the guidance issued to public authorities in Scotland to make provision, in their housebuilding programmes, for a proportion of dwellings to be suitable for the elderly.

Yes, Sir. Housing authorities will have my full encouragement in making suitable provision in their housing programmes for the elderly, and in providing a variety of dwellings specially designed to meet their needs.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this answer will be welcomed particularly because of the views of some of his hon. Friends in the last Parliament which were opposed to the building of smaller suitable houses and flats for this purpose?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that it may not be very encouraging to some of his hon. Friends who have expressed themselves as being opposed to the building of council houses for anybody.

When authorising house building for elderly people will my right hon. Friend consider the question of subsidy provisions in order that the houses may be let at rents which old people can afford? Is he aware that they are precluded from applying for council houses today because of the increase in rents?

My hon. Friend will be aware that the provisions are such that no matter what the size of the house the subsidy is the same. To that extent the subsidy is more favourable in relation to houses for old people than to other buildings.