§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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 Lloyd: All property occupied by the Department is vested in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment; any surplus property is returned to the Property Services Agency for reuse or disposal as appropriate.