§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give for each health board(a) the square footage of unused properties and (b) the square footage or acreage of unused land and the estimated value of each category as a percentage of total land and property and as a percentage of the total land and property value of each board; and if he will make a statement as to his Department's policy on the sale of unused land and property.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information requested is not collected routinely by either the Department of Health and Social Services or by the four health and social services boards and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs. The total acreage of the health and personal social services estate and the acreage and estimated value of property (that is both land and buildings) which have been declared surplus to the requirements of each health and social services board at 6 February 1989 is as follows:
Board Total estate Surplus estate Estimated value of surplus estate £ million
(Acres) (Acres) Per cent. Eastern 1,428.11 196.305 13.74 2.9 Northern 634.82 194.232 30.59 0.8 Southern 332.29 30.154 9.07 0.75 Western 1,018.28 12.72 1.25 1.4 Total 3,413.50 433.411 12.70 5.85 The policy on the sale of land and property which has been declared surplus to requirements is that it should be disposed of in a publicly acceptable manner, and for the best price which in the opinion of the Valuation and Lands Office can reasonably be obtained.