§ 17. Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he takes to ensure that his Department is making the best use of its residential property.
§ Mr. ChopeWhere empty residential properties are not required for further Government use they are sold. If they cannot be sold because of legal restrictions, or sold within six months, they are offered first to the local housing authority and then to a housing association.
§ Mrs. ClwydHow does the Minister explain that, at a time of record homelessness, 5.5 per cent. of residential properties owned by his Department have been empty for more than a year—twice the national average for local authorities? Instead of admonishing local authorities to put their house in order, why does the Minister not do so?
§ Mr. ChopeI welcome the hon. Lady's interest in the 38 vacant residential properties which is the total number owned by my Department. I hope that she is not trying to divert attention from over 100,000 properties owned by local authorities.