§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has developed any new proposals for the utilisation of suitable Government-owned empty properties for homeless families.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Government's policy is to sell surplus properties wherever possible. Where disposal is not practicable, Government Departments are encouraged to let their empty properties to local authorities and housing associations to assist them in relieving local housing pressures. The Department of Transport has recently contracted out the management of the majority of its domestic dwellings to housing associations, and the Ministry of Defence has so far leased 650 homes to local authorities.