§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to make use of his Department's empty residential property.
§ Mr. SoamesThe majority of our empty properties are undergoing or awaiting major maintenance, held for future developments, or form part of the management margin needed to ensure that accommodation is available for entitled service families. Empty properties which are surplus to requirements, however, are sold. Properties which are not surplus to long-term requirements but which are not needed immediately for service families are leased to local authorities, housing associations or civilians.