§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number of vacant or derelict houses, offices, factories and other properties belonging to his Department; and what are his plans to sell or utilise them.
§ Mr. HurdThere are about 2,860 vacant prison staff quarters owned by the Home Office of which 1,500 are being retained to allow for staff movements and additional prison officers being recruited as part of the present recruitment campaign. The remaining 1,360 are being sold on the open market. Three country houses stand vacant, of which two are being sold on the open market, and arrangements are being made to sell the third. A building used as a prison officers' mess is being sold to the health authority. Additionally there are small parcels of land at five Prison Department establishments, totalling some 60 acres, which await planning clarification prior to sale.