§ Mr. Robert HicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all those MOD properties in the Plymouth area, including Caradon, that are vacant at present; what is the length of time that they have been unoccupied; and what are his intentions for these properties.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAs at 31 March 1991, the latest date for which figures are available, 486 married quarters and seven Ministry of Defence civilian properties in the Plymouth area, including Caradon, were vacant. Of the married quarters 435 had been vacant for less than a year, 15 had been vacant for between one and two years and 36 had been vacant for over two years. The seven civilian properties had all been vacant for over six months. In addition, 130 dwellings were in the process of being sold. It is our policy to dispose of all housing which is surplus to our long-term requirements. However, not all empty 81W properties are surplus to requirements; many are either undergoing or awaiting major maintenance work or modernisation and some are already allotted to service families who are due to move in shortly.