HC Deb 08 December 1999 vol 340 cc544-5W
Mr. Reed

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the DfEE about student housing provision for university students. [101053]

Mr. Mullin

This is a matter primarily for liaison between local authorities and the universities and other higher education institutions. The DfEE, through the Higher Education Funding Councils, does not make financial provision to the universities for student residential accommodation. It is also a matter for individual students to choose the type of accommodation they wish to occupy.

My Department will continue to discuss with the DfEE whether halls of residence and other university owned, managed or leased accommodation should be exempt from our proposed licensing system for houses in multiple occupation.

We are also considering carefully Recommendation 33 of Policy Action Team 7's report on Unpopular Housing: that my Department should discuss with DfEE and the Department of Health an agreed approach to the use of existing stock to meet demand for student housing and housing for medical staff before new developments take place in areas of low demand.

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