asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will amend the Housing Bill to provide further encouragement for public sector landlords to make temporary lettings to students and people moving for employment reasons.

Yes. I have tabled an amendment to the Housing Bill which will enable local authorities, new towns and housing associations to make temporary lettings to people moving for employment reasons and to students from 31 March onwards. They will be able to make such lettings without creating secure tenancies under the Housing Bill, and this will help authorities to make maximum use of short-term lettings, particularly where they have dwellings that are temporarily empty.