HC Deb 14 December 1993 vol 234 cc534-5W
Mr. Hendry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many empty dwellings there are in England and Wales.

Sir George Young

Local authorities in England provide estimates of the number of vacant dwellings in their area in their annual housing investment programme—HIP1—returns. On the basis of these data, it is estimated that there were around 850,000 vacant dwellings on 1 April 1993.

For information about Wales, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.