§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimate of the number of empty residential properties in the private sector; and what is the estimate of the percentage this represents of the total number of residential properties in the private sector;
(2) what is the estimate of the number of properties which are empty in each of (a) local authority housing, (b) housing association housing and (c) Government Department housing; and what is the estimate of the percentage this represents of the total number of properties in each such group.
588W
§ Sir George YoungThe available information for April 1990 is in the table. Figures are for England, except in the case of Government Departments, which are for Great Britain.
589W
Vacant dwellings (thousands) As a percentage of stock Local authority1 99.2 2.5 Housing association2 19.7 3.5 Other Public Sector3 31.1 16.4 Private4 586.8 4.0 1 Derived from local authorities housing investment programme returns for April 1990. Includes 38,900 dwellings which are awaiting or undergoing major works or awaiting sale or demolition. 2 Derived from housing association returns to the Housing Corporation for March 1990. Includes 12,700 dwellings, mainly purchased from the private sector, which require rehabilitation work before suitable for occupation.
3 1989–90 figures reported by Government Departments to the Treasury and includes dwellings owned by local health authorities. Many are vacant because of operational requirements, notably those owned by the Ministry of Defence. The Government are encouraging the sale of housing which is surplus to requirements and many of those that are vacant are in the process of disposal.
4 Includes both rented and owner occupied dwellings. Local authorities provide figures in their housing investment programme returns, but because of the difficulty of obtaining up-to-date information on private sector vacancies, the estimates are likely to be less reliable than other information provided.