HC Deb 08 November 1995 vol 265 cc991-2W
Mr. Chris Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will place in the Library copies of the contingency plans prepared by water companies to safeguard supplies to their customers next summer in the event of below average winter rainfall; [41377]

(2) what assessment he has made of the contingency plans prepared by water companies to safeguard supplies to their customers next summer in the event of below average winter rainfall. [41378]

Mr. Clappison

It is the general duty of water undertakers to make arrangements to provide water supplies to premises in their area and it is the duty of the National Rivers Authority to take all action that is necessary and expedient for the purpose of conserving, redistributing or otherwise augmenting water resources and to secure their proper use. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked the National Rivers Authority

"Our Future Homes" we announced a strengthened policy that Departments will generally dispose of surplus empty properties within six months of their becoming empty.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many currently empty Government(a) residential, (b) office and (c) other buildings there are in (i) London, (ii) Southwark, (iii) each county and (iv) in England; how many have been empty for more than (1) one year, (2) two years and (3) five years; and what is the amount of floor space in each category. [41269]

Mr. Clappison

Information in the form requested is not held centrally.

It is estimated that at 1 April 1994 there were 15,000 vacant dwellings in England owned by Government Departments. Some data for individual local authorities are included in the 1994 housing investment programme all items print, which is in the House Library; although there are doubts about the quality of some of these data.

The table gives particulars of vacant office and specialised properties on the Government civil estate.

to report to him following consultation with the companies on the adequacy of water companies' plans and the measures that they are taking to safeguard supplies for next summer; a copy of that report will be placed in the Library when available.