§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the practice of police authorities on making unoccupied police houses available to housing authorities by sale or lease.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe disposal of unoccupied police houses is a matter for police authorities, but we have made clear to them our natural concern that houses should not remain unoccupied for longer than is absolutely necessary. I understand that some police authorities offer their surplus houses for sale to housing authorities or are prepared to lease to housing authorities police houses which are temporarily unoccupied.
§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the approximate number of police houses in England and Wales which have been unoccupied for more than one month.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that this information is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.