HC Deb 09 July 1996 vol 281 c133W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by grade and by job description the total number of people employed in the Defence Housing Executive and the number in each grade with a housing management qualification, naming the qualifications concerned; and if he will make a statement. [36196]

Mr. Soames

I will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what incentives exist for employees of the Defence Housing Executive to attend accredited courses on housing management; and if he will make a statement. [36198]

Mr. Soames

Civil servants employed in the Defence Housing Executive are eligible to apply for assistance, in accordance with established Ministry of Defence regulations, to enable them to undertake externally-provided courses in housing management. This takes the form of an agreed number of days paid study leave plus financial assistance towards fees, registration and the purchase of text books and other materials. In addition, the DHE supports its own national vocational qualifications centre providing resource and financial support to those undertaking this qualification. The possession of such qualifications does not entitle staff to any additional pay allowance.

In addition, the DHE actively encourages its housing management staff to join the Institute of Housing.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many employees of the Defence Housing Executive will be attending academic courses on housing management in the next academic year; and at which establishments. [36197]

Mr. Soames

Two members of the Defence Housing Executive will be undertaking academic courses in housing management during the next academic year. One is studying for BA (Hons.) at Northumbria university and the other BA (Hons.) at Southampton university. The courses are being undertaken on a part-time basis in parallel with the students continuing to perform their full-time jobs.