HC Deb 13 July 1993 vol 228 cc469-71W
Mr. Hendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence married quarters were empty for the last date for which figures were available; if he will break down the figure by number of bedrooms; and how many had been empty for over one year.

Mr. Hanley

As at 31 March 1993, there were 9,166 vacant married quarters. Of these, 2,153 were either undergoing or awaiting major maintenance work or modernisation, 2,493 were already allocated to service families who were due to move in shortly and 870 were being held for agreed deployment or deployments under study. A total of 1,265 of these married quarters have been vacant for over one year. Information on the number of bedrooms is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Hendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence married quarters outside secure perimeters are occupied by(a) civilians who have not served in the forces and (b) ex-service personnel; and what is his policy towards the residence in Ministry of Defence married quarters outside secure perimeters by civilians who have not served in the forces.

Mr. Hanley

It is my Department's policy that married quarters should be reserved for use by service personnel and their families. In certain circumstances, however, civilian employees of the Ministry of Defence or service-sponsored organisations may also occupy married quarters under licence. Any married quarters which are surplus to long term requirements are sold wherever possible, but my Department does try to lease any properties to local authorities and housing associations where there is no short service requirement.

Records of civilian occupants of married quarters are not kept in a form which distinguishes between properties inside or outside secure perimeters and between civilians who have previously served in the forces and those who have not.

Mr. Hendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the estimated cost of rent forgone for the empty Ministry of Defence married quarters in Stillington street, London SW1 over the past four years; what was the cost of providing(a) caretaking and (b) security in this time; and when he expects the works to be complete.

Mr. Hanley

The refurbishment contract for the married quarters in Stillington street is expected to complete in April 1994. The estimated cost of rent foregone in the past four years is £200,000. Details of the cost of providing caretaking and security are not readily available and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Hendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the leasing of empty Ministry of Defence married quarters to housing associations; what contact his Department has had with housing associations regarding the management of Ministry of Defence estates; how many empty Ministry of Defence married quarters have been leased to housing associations in the last year; and how many empty Ministry of Defence married quarters he proposes to lease to housing associations this year.

Mr. Hanley

Empty married quarters, which are temporarily surplus to requirements but for which there is a long-term service need are, wherever possible, offered for leasing to local authorities. In most cases the local authority will take on the lease, but if it does not wish or is unable to do so, it may nominate a housing association to act in its place. My Department will willingly deal with either organisation.

Two housing associations have assisted us in developing our plans for the future management of service married quarters. No empty properties have been leased to housing associations in the last year, but over 900 properties are currently on lease to local authorities or other organisations. Leases of 87 properties to a housing association and 31 to a local authority are under negotiation. Further properties will be offered for leasing if they become available.

Mr. Hendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence married quarters are surplus to operational requirements at the last date for which figures are available.

Mr. Hanley

As at 31 March 1993, 2,069 service married quarters were surplus to operational requirements. A total of 2,015 of these properties were in the process of being sold.