HC Deb 05 February 1998 vol 305 cc754-5W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the(a) annual cost and (b) total value of the empty properties owned by (i) her Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) other public bodies for which she has responsibility, in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year. [26649]

Mr. Foulkes

(i) Neither the Department for International Development (DFID) nor the former Overseas Development Administration owned empty properties for the years in question.

(ii) DFID has no agencies.

(iii) In the case of public bodies for which DFID is currently responsible, the information is as follows:

  • 1995–96 nil
  • 1996–97 Annual cost £4,500
  • Total value £37,100
  • 1997–98 Annual cost £10,400
  • Total value £164,000

The total value figures relate to the capital cost of the premises and not the market value for which records do not exist. The figures refer to properties overseas.