Since 1998-99 we have doubled to £19.28 million the spendthat Communities Scotland provides in the Highlands and Islands for the provision of affordablehousing.Inaddition, I was particularly pleased to be able to announce at the Conventionof the Highlands and Islands in Stornoway on 7 October that a further £10 million wouldbe directed to affordable housing opportunities in rural Scotland over the two years 2004-05 and2005-06.