§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to achieve the Government's target of 60 per cent. of
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Performance figures for 1998–99 and targets for 1999–2000 for the disposal of Government empty homes Home Office DETR MOD Total stock at 1 April 1998 3,189 2,473 64,238 Total stock at 1 April 1999 2,550 1,901 62,420 Total empty stock at 1 April 1998 217 692 13,225 Total empty stock at 1 April 1999 259 480 13,568 Target for percentage empty at 1 April 1999 Less than 5 per cent. Less than 18 per cent. To dispose of 1,200 empty homes Achievement against target 10.2 per cent. 25 per cent. Disposal of 1,323 empty homes Target for empty at 1 April 2000 Less than 5 per cent. Less than 18 per cent. To dispose of 2,018 empty homes Target for percentage habitable homes empty for more than 6 months at 1 April 1999 Less than 1 per cent. Less than 7 per cent. — Achievement against target 2.7 per cent. 4.5 per cent. — Target for percentage habitable homes empty for more than 6 months at 1 April 2000 Less than 1 per cent. Less than 3 per cent. — Action being taken to dispose of habitable homes empty for more than 6 months 1— 2— 3— 1 Forty-four retained on security grounds or for use by Prison Chaplains. Thirteen on the market, 9 reallocated, 2 held to accommodate a decant from two blocks of flats that are to be sold with vacant possession, 1 being occupied temporarily for a police operation, 1 being used temporarily to house recruits during refurbishment of Peel Centre Residential blocks. 2 ½ of all vacant properties are in the process of being sold. Clearer guidance being issued on demolition, selling and refurbishing options. Addressing with vigour the performance of agents (who manage of ⅔ HA stock). 3 The Defence Housing Executive's Chief Executive is committed to reducing the total number of void properties and has set a publicly accountable target to reduce voids by 13 per cent. by 31 March 2002. additional housing to be built on previously developed land; what assessment he has made of Urban Task Force's prediction of the percentage which will be achieved by 2021; and if he will make a statement. [92066]
§ Mr. CabornA range of measures which will help deliver the Government's 60 per cent. target have already been set out in revised Planning Policy Guidance on Housing (PPG3), on which my Department has recently consulted. The Government are still considering the report of the Urban Task Force and their response will be set out in due course in the Urban and Rural White Papers.