§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number and location of unoccupied housing held by Government Departments; and what proposals he has to bring these back into use for homeless families.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend is responsible only for property held by the Scottish Office. In April 1993, the Scottish Office Departments, health boards and trusts had 239 empty properties throughout Scotland out of a total stock of 1,625 properties. An agreed target was set to dispose of or bring back into use 80 of these properties by 31 March 1994. The figure achieved was 94. Sale or lease to a housing association for rent to those in housing need is one option to be considered for empty property, but the approach in each case will depend on local circumstances.