HC Deb 13 July 1972 vol 840 cc1817-8
1. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make a statement on the Government's policy concerning residential accommodation for students at polytechnics.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. William van Straubenzee)

My right hon. Friend is prepared, within the resources available, to consider on their merits proposals for the provision of additional accommodation that are put to her by education authorities responsible for polytechnics.

Mr. Judd

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that despite the devoted work of the specialist staff, the range of accommodation available for students at polytechnics, especially when compared with universities, is totally inadequate? Does he recognise for example that the plan to double the size of the polytechnic in Portsmouth, which is already a worrying situation, would make the position worse and that a grave existing housing shortage in the city may become still more problematical and inflationary? What reassurances can he give in this respect?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I begin by accepting the point made by the hon. Gentleman at the start of his supplementary question. There is no doubt that residential accommodation at polytechnics is well down the league compared with the universities. However, the building programme is encouraging. It is not a reason for complacency but it is encouraging. The hon. Gentleman knows that the starts for 1973–74 at the Portsmouth polytechnic amount to no less than £1.16 million. In Portsmouth alone there is provision for 150 residential places. The programme that comes after that also includes another substantial allocation or, rather, a request for an allocation.

Mr. Moyle

Has not the hon. Gentleman seen the speech by Mr. Anthony Speaight, Chairman of the Federation of Conservative Students, who says that next autumn there will be the biggest crisis in student housing we have ever faced? What is the Government's thinking for dealing with the short-term problem?

Mr. van Straubenzee

The answer is contained in the building programme already announced in the university sector which shows an increase in proportion to the students at universities being accommodated—and that is in spite of increasing overall numbers.