§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many residential properties in the London borough of Lewisham are owned by his Department; and158W if he will publish a list of such residential properties which are currently empty, giving the type of accommodation available, the length of time each property has been vacant and the intended future use.
§ Mr. NorrisMy Department owns 22 residential properties transferred from the London residuary body in 1987. These were acquired for trunk road improvements and all are currently let. In addition five residential properties were transferred to the Department from the National Bus Company on its dissolution in 1991. These are currently vacant, three are to be demolished to enable a housing development to take place and two are required for the trunk road improvements. Consideration is being given to the possibility of letting them in the meantime. It is not my Department's practice to publish the addresses of vacant properties.
The Department also owns 14 commercial properties, with integral living accommodation, all acquired for road schemes. Nine of these are let on a commercial basis and attempts are being made to find suitable commercial tenants for the other five.