§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of maintaining redundant empty hospital buildings in each region in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [127692]
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§ Mr. DenhamThe holding costs of maintaining the surplus estate that is not vested in trusts, once it is vacant and available for disposal, include maintenance, security, rates and utilities.
The last year for which figures are available, ie 1999–2000, for each region are as follows:
£ Region Northern and Yorkshire 1,500,000 Trent 580,000 Eastern 415,000 London 2,543,000 South-East 2,702,000 South and West 774,000 West Midlands 1,194,000 North-West 598,000 Total 10,306,000 There is a continuing programme of disposals of the surplus estate in the ownership of the Secretary of State, which has realised in excess of £200 million per annum in recent years.