§ Mr. SalterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department, the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence are taking to reduce the number of empty Government-owned homes. [92321]
§ Ms ArmstrongWe are determined to reduce the number of empty Government homes, and today I have published revised guidance for Government Departments on how best to tackle their empty properties.
I am concerned that the figures for Government empty homes released today show a small increase. We are determined to bring these figures down.
Our new guidance is concise, user friendly and includes examples of innovative good practice.
I expect all Government Departments, using the revised guidance along with challenging new targets, to make a real reduction in the number of vacant properties.
Details of achievement against targets for 1998–99, and new targets for 1999–2000 are listed in the table.
Copies of the new guidance—"Revised Guidance on Securing the Better Use of Empty Homes"—have been placed in the Library of the House.