§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the(a) annual cost and (b) total value of the empty properties owned by (i) her Department, (ii) her agencies and (iii) other public bodies for which she has had responsibility in each of the last four years. [30066]
§ Dr. HowellsMy Department holds leasehold properties, used for its central London accommodation. There was one instance when such a property was left unoccupied for nine months from February to October 2001, while the lease was being transferred to the Cabinet Office. My estimate of the cost of this is £240,000.
My Department does not hold information centrally on the properties owned by the other public bodies, for which I am responsible, but I have contacted my agency, the Royal Parks Agency, for more information, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing a copy of my letter in the Libraries of both houses.