§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many houses, on the Risley prison officers estate, Culcheth, are standing empty and how many of them have been empty for (a) less than three months, b) three to six months, (c) six to 12 months and (d) over 12 months.
§ Mr. MayhewThere are 43 vacant houses on the Culcheth estate of which five have been vacant for less than three months, six for three to six months, eight for six to 12 months and 24 for over 12 months.
§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to sell to the general public houses standing empty on the Risley prison officers estate, Culcheth.
§ Mr. MayhewThe Department is planning to sell on the open market 27 surplus quarters at Risley, 20 of which are at Culcheth.
§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why houses are standing empty on the Risley prison officers estate, Culcheth.
§ Mr. MayhewSince 1979 prison officers have been given considerably more freedom of choice than hitherto between occupying official quarters or providing their own accommodation and drawing housing allowance. This has led to a surplus of quarters at Risley. Those not required for long-term retention will be sold.
§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to allow Wallington borough council to offer to citizens on their housing waiting list houses which are currently standing empty on the Risley prison officers estate, Culcheth.
§ Mr. MayhewThe Department's policy is to dispose of surplus houses by sale on the open market. There are no special arrangements to make them available to local authorities.
§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has any plans to allow prison officers serving at Risley remand centre to purchase houses they are currently renting from his Department on the prison officers estate, Culcheth;
(2) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the sale of prison officers' houses to their occupants.
§ Mr. MayhewIt is the policy to retain quarters required for future use as prison housing, and to put surplus quarters up for sale on the open market. Prison officers wishing to purchase the quarters they occupy, provided those quarters are not earmarked for long-term 233W retention, may do so at current market value. Officers occupy quarters as part of their conditions of service and do not pay rent.