§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) number and (b) percentage of properties in his charge are empty; and what steps are being taken by his Department to reduce the number of such properties. [116918]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 3 April 20001: There are 527 office buildings and Residences for Heads of Post overseas. Of these, eight are currently empty. This represents 1.5 per cent. of the total.
The administration of staff residential properties on the overseas estate has been devolved to individual Posts. Details of any empty properties at all 222 Posts could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
FCO policy is that no property should be left vacant unless this is unavoidable in the short-term or there are reasons for its retention, such as a break in diplomatic relations. Properties that are surplus to requirements are disposed of as soon as market conditions allow.