§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to improve the professional quality of public sector housing management.
§ Mr. GowMy right hon. Friend intends to provide funding, starting with the next academic year, for up to 15 post-graduate studentships a year in housing management. The studentships will be available in England and Wales for approved full-time post-graduate courses of two years' duration, which meet the professional standards of the Institute of Housing.
The new diploma of housing course at the London School of Economics meets these criteria and will be approved by my right hon. Friend for the studentships. It has been developed in consultation with the Institute of Housing and will, in our view, contribute to raising standards in public housing management. The first year will be largely academic in content; most of the second year will be spent working with selected housing authorities.
179WThe studentships will provide for maintenance and fees in the first year, and normally for fees only in the second year, when the students are working with the housing authorities.
My right hon. Friend will give careful consideration to making studentships available for further courses which may be developed and meet the criteria.