§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the percentage of properties suitable for residential use and owned or administered by his Department (i) empty for more than six months, (ii) empty for more than one year (iii) the regional distribution of these properties, (iv) the number of these properties located in inner London boroughs and (v) the number of these properties located in outer London boroughs.
§ Mr. FreemanThe information is not available in the form requested. At 31 March 1990 the Department owned 2,241 residential properties acquired in advance of requirements for the trunk road programme. The Department's policy is not to leave properties empty if they are to be retained for six months or more and a tenant can be found. The table sets out the information that is available.
397W
Analysis of empty property total Total stock Empty Being sold Repair/relet in progress Awaiting demolition Awaiting decision South Eastern 218 74 26 33 0 15 South Western 104 27 19 6 2 0 West Midlands 127 49 9 30 4 6 North western 353 49 10 15 10 14 Northern 29 2 0 2 0 0 Yorkshire and Humberside 53 15 9 4 0 2 East Midlands 47 21 19 2 0 0 Eastern 348 40 10 0 28 2 London 962 81 41 20 12 8 Total 2,241 358 143 112 56 47