HC Deb 31 October 1994 vol 248 c980W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning the number of empty dwellings owned by Government Departments, and which Departments, for latest available year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Robert B. Jones

Information about Government Departments' empty residential property is set out in the table:

Total stock at 1 April 1994 Empty at 1 April 1994 Empty as percentage of total stock Per cent.
Department of Transport 3,845 887 23
Home Office 14,524 498 11
Ministry of Defence 68,106 11,313 17
Department of Health 215,000 31,800 12
Scottish Office 41,601 158 10
Welsh Office 239 343 18

The management, use and disposal of Government residential property is the responsibility of the Department concerned.

Notes:

1 Excludes figures for the provincial police authorities.

2 Most up-to-date figures available are as at 31 December 1992.

3 Excludes bed-spaces in hostels.

4 NHS figures included in this stock are as at 1 April 1993

5 Excludes properties awaiting demolition or conversion to non-residential use.