§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of properties owned by his Department and suitable for residential accommodation have been empty for (i) up to a year and (ii) over a year; and where these properties are located, by region of the United Kingdom or local authority area.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe information for regions in England is:268W
Properties owned by the Department and suitable for residential accommodation Region Number Percentage empty for up to a year Percentage empty for over a year South West 139 15 5 Eastern 365 2 1 South East 210 7 3 North West 406 — — East Midlands 104 11 10 West Midlands 82 11 5 London 866 2 3 Yorkshire and Humberside 54 13 11 Northern 29 — — England total 2,255 4 3 In Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales the respective Secretaries of State are responsible for the management of land purchased for national road schemes.