§ 44. Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the increasing shortage of accommodation for students; and if he will encourage the Housing Corporation to foster the development of housing associations for student communities.
§ Mr. FreesonWhile primary responsibility for student accommodation as such rests with the Department of Education and Science I have asked my officials, in consultation with it, to identify places 449W where the shortage of student accommodation aggravates the general housing shortage. In such situations housing associations schemes for single young people, including students, will be considered for grant. Local authorities, too, may, and I hope will, provide such accommodation as part of their general housing programme.