§ Mr. Rossiasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that further education students are unable to find furnished rented accommodation consequential upon the effects of 255W the Rent Act 1974, if he will take immediate action to remedy this by seeking powers to exempt student accommodation from the requirement to be registered with a recognised educational institution.
§ Mr. FreesonI am not aware of evidence, as distinct from allegations, that any current shortage of accommodation available to students has arisen from the provisions of the Rent Act 1974; but as I undertook during the debates on the Act I am considering the possibility of measures to exclude registered student lettings from full security of tenure.
§ Mr. Rossiasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how long it takes in Greater London for an appeal to be determined by a rent assessment committee from the date of a rent officer's decision giving the details area by area.
§ Mr. FreesonFigures area by area are not immediately available, but I will make inquiries to see whether I can provide fuller information for the hon. Member, and will write to him.
At present, the time between a rent officer's decision and a rent assessment committee's decision is on average eight and a half months, which includes an average of two and a half months between the rent officer's decision and submission of an objection.