§ Mr. Jim Lesterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what projections he has made on the loss of student accommodation, as a result of clearance schemes, the Rent Act 1974 and municipalisation; and what advice he is giving to local authorities to meet the demand over the next five years.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerTrends in the supply of student accommodation are regularly monitored. These show that clearance schemes affect some institutions mainly in city centres that there is less cause for anxiety about the effects of the Rent Act; and that municipalisation has had little impact on the availability of student accommodation. Advice to local authorities on housing matters generally rests with my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction. He has already expressed the hope that local authorities and housing associations would make accommodation available for single young people, including students, where the shortage of accommodation 617W for them aggravates the general housing problem.