Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many properties, owned and administered by his Department, have stood empty(a) for over six months or (b) for over one year; and what is the regional distribution of these properties.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerIt is assumed that the question relates to housing. The best estimate of the numbers of empty prison service properties, as at 1 March 1991, was 458, as set out in the table by region.
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North Midland South East South West Total Vacant for security reasons or redevelopment 29 45 17 3 94 Vacant for re-allocation to designated staff 21 16 12 7 56 Awaiting demolition 63 — — — 63 On market for sale 165 36 8 6 215 Awaiting disposal 13 12 1 4 30 TOTALS 291 109 38 20 458 Information on the length of time for which these properties have been vacant is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
In addition, the Home Office directorate of telecommunications owns some properties which have been vacant for more than 12 months. Three of these are in the midlands, one in the south-west and one in the south-east.