§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham are owned by his Department; if he will publish a list of such residential properties which are currently empty, giving the type of accommodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant, and the intended future use.
§ Mr. NorrisMy Department owns 22 residential properties acquired for a trunk road improvement and all are currently let. In addition, five residential properties were transferred to the Department from the National Bus Company on its dissolution in 1991. These five are currently vacant. Three are to be demolished to enable a housing development to take place. The other two are required for the trunk road improvement scheme and consideration is being given to the possibility of letting them in the meantime. It is not my Department's practice to release publicly the address of vacant properties.
The Department also owns 14 commercial properties, with integral living accommodation, all acquired for the trunk road scheme. Twelve of these are let on a commercial basis and attempts are being made to find suitable commercial tenants for the other two.