Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil MSP has visited a dilapidated block of Musselburgh flats due be demolished and replaced with new council housing fit for the future.

Mr Neil's visit yesterday coincided with the publication of the Housing Bill in the Scottish Parliament, which offers a blueprint to safeguard Scotland's stock of social housing.

Housing Minister Alex Neil said: "The Housing Bill is a major piece of legislation that will increase the supply of affordable housing and improve the quality of housing in all sectors.

"The Scottish Government is investing a record £1.5 billion in affordable housing - including a new generation of council housing. These far reaching reforms will safeguard that investment for future generations.

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"The modernisation of regulation will put the interests of tenants and homeless people at the heart of housing regulation."

During his visit, Mr Neil was met by East Lothian Council's Cabinet member for Housing, Councillor Stuart Currie, to discuss the challenging issues the county faces meeting demand for affordable housing.

Providing more affordable homes is a key priority for the council, which has committed an additional £100m over the next five years to deliver around 1000 new properties.

Councillor Stuart Currie explained: "There are around 5000 households currently seeking a council home in East Lothian and a stock of only 8100 properties.

"Meanwhile, turnover across the whole county dropped to below 400 properties in 2008/09. Our council build programme is well underway with six sites due for completion in 2010 and we are working with our partners to build more homes for more tenants but keeping up with demand is an ongoing challenge.

"Right to Buy has had a profound and long lasting effect on the supply of affordable housing in our area. This is why we believe that changes to limit the number of homes sold in this way are long overdue."

He concluded by sating that the reforms to Right to Buy legislation will provide councils with an incentive to build more housing knowing that they will be safeguarded for future generations of tenants.

(GK/BMcC)