§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what(a) number and (b) percentage of properties in his charge are empty; and what steps are being taken by his Department to reduce the number of such properties. [116916]
§ Jane KennedyThe Court Service currently has six vacant properties and holds vacant space in another six Government buildings. In total this represents 3.1 per cent. of the Court Service estate. Of the six vacant buildings, five are being actively marketed and the Court Service is actively trying to negotiate early surrender of the sixth. Of the space held in the six other Government buildings, the Court Service is about to serve notice to terminate occupation in two. Attempts are being made to sub-let or negotiate early surrender of the remainder.
The Northern Ireland Court Service currently has three properties vacant which represents 9 per cent. of its estate. These three properties are in the late stages of disposal.