HC Deb 30 November 1989 vol 162 cc365-6W
Mr. Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of member-led training schemes for housing association staff in Greater London.

Mr. Chope

My Department does not maintain such lists.

Mr. Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his Department's commitment to training in the housing association sector.

Mr. Chope

The Government support promotional and advisory activities in the housing association sector, including training for housing association staff, through an annual programme funded by grant-in-aid to the Housing Corporation.

Mr. Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet representatives of London housing associations to discuss the provision of training to assist associations in providing for the homeless and badly housed in London.

Mr. Chope

My ministerial colleagues and I frequently meet representatives of the housing association sector and we discuss a wide range of housing matters. We are quite prepared to listen to views about training in the course of discussions such as those.

Mr. Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the effects on London housing associations of the closure of London housing associations training scheme; and if he will make a statement about the future funding of the scheme.

Mr. Chope

I am aware that the London housing associations training scheme is held in high regard by those who use its services, so I hope that it will not be closing. By far the greater part of the scheme's income is in fact from the member associations which use the services. Details of public funding for the organisation are primarily a matter for the Housing Corporation, although I understand that the corporation is making available a grant of about £16,000 to the scheme in the current financial year and is hoping to make available a similar amount in 1990–91. But the overall position on resources is that the balancing of its budget is entirely the responsibility of the organisation itself. It is thus for the scheme to discuss with its member associations the level of costs which they are prepared to bear for its services.

Mr. Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations his Department has received concerning the proposed closure of London housing associations training scheme.

Mr. Chope

My Department has received letters from six sources about the future of the scheme.