§ Ms SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings owned by the Ministry of Defence in the Rosyth and Pitreavie area are currently vacant; of these how many have been vacant for(a) less than six months, (b) six to 12 months, (c) up to two years and (d) over two years; and what are his Department's plans for the disposal of these properties, and over what period. [8990]
§ Mr. SpellarAll but one of the 81 houses of the service families accommodation site at Pitreavie are empty, due to the closure in July 1996 of RAF Pitreavie Castle and RAF Turnhouse. Forty-three houses have been empty for 12 months and 37 for 18 months.
The Ministry of Defence originally planned to market the houses with the RAF station as a package. More recently, and because no prospective purchaser has been found, it has been decided to market the houses individually and sales will proceed as quickly as possible.
The Rosyth estate comprises 269 houses of which 147 are empty. One hundred and four have been empty for between one and two years and 43 have been empty for over two years. A total of 108 of the 147 are currently being advertised for sale in blocks or on an individual basis. These sales will take place as market demand permits.