§ 34. Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the number of dwellings vacant, at the latest date for which the figures are available, compares with 12 months earlier; and what percentage this represents of the total housing stock.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe latest comprehensive information is from the 1971 census, which recorded approximately 628,000 dwellings in England as being vacant on census night, 3.9 per cent. of the total stock. Information relating to 1970 is not available. Limited sample information 131W which has become available since is inadequate for estimating the situation nationally. Houses may be empty for many reasons. They may be in process of being let, sold, converted, or improved, or they may be vacant because of coming redevelopment.