§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of vacant dwellings currently owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Soames[holding answer Tuesday 17 January 1995]: As at 31 December, my Department owned 12,408 vacant dwellings in the following categories:
Number Service married quarters 9,992 Former married quarters in the process of sale 2,160 MOD civilian houses 218 Former civilian houses in the process of sale 38 Discussions are currently taking place with the Housing Corporation on an enhanced programme of short-term leasing to housing associations for married quarters which are temporarily surplus to our requirements. However, the majority of the vacant service married quarters are not surplus but are undergoing or awaiting major maintenance, held for future deployments, or form part of the management margin needed to ensure that accommodation is available for entitled service families.
Of the vacant civilian houses, 71 are leased properties awaiting return to Dumbarton district council, 97 are houses recently taken over from the United States air force awaiting occupation by Ministry of Defence police and the remainder are mainly properties in secure areas which cannot be sold for security or safeguarding reasons.