§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many empty houses and flats are currently in his ownership within the city of Plymouth boundaries; what steps he will be taking to dispose of them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyAs at 31 March 1994, my Department owned 301 vacant houses and flats within the city of Plymouth, of which 296 were service married quarters and five were civilian houses. The majority of those properties were undergoing major maintenance work or were already allocated to service families, and some were in the process of being sold. Where there is no long-term requirement, it is our policy to offer properties for sale to service personnel at a discount, to housing associations or on the open market.