§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to make use of her Department's empty residential property.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department and the national health service follow Government guidelines on the management of their residential estate whereby only property which is required for operational purposes should be retained, and that surplus property should be disposed of as quickly as possible. This may be in the open market, or to housing associations or local authorities. Consideration should be given to short-term or temporary lettings of vacant residential property which is either not surplus, or which cannot be disposed of immediately.