§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many empty homes his Department(a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes. [92920]
§ Mr. RammellIt is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's policy to limit empty properties to one of four categories:(a) those that must be vacated while undergoing refurbishment or adaptation; (b) those that are surplus and in the process of disposal; (c) those we cannot occupy because of a break in diplomatic relations or a similar eventuality, but we expect to need in the future; (d) those that are vacant for short periods between officers' overseas tours.
565WRoutine management of the FCO estate is devolved to our overseas posts and information is not held centrally. It is therefore not possible to identify these properties or their costs without disproportionate cost.