§ Mr. Knowlesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further steps the Government have taken to encourage the development of new housing management courses, following their announcement in February of funding for studentships at the Salford centre for housing studies.
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§ Mr. John PattenFollowing negotiations between my Department, the Institute of Housing, the University of Bristol and Bristol Polytechnic, a new full-time, o-year postgraduate course in housing studies will be launched at Bristol next autumn. It will meet the necessary professional criteria.
My right hon. Friend intends to provide funding through the Economic and Social Research Council for 15 studentships a year on this course, beginning in 1987. A contribution will also be made towards the setting-up and development costs.
The studentships will provide for maintenance and fees in the first year and for fees only in the second year, when the students are on placement.
This initiative is particularly welcome because of the close co-operation between the university and the polytechic.
Similar studentships for housing diploma courses are already being provided at the Salford centre for housing studies, the London school of economics and Sheffield polytechnic.
I hope to see more courses which are worthy of our support come forward.