HC Deb 25 February 2002 vol 380 cc813-5W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many properties have been empty for up to five years in each Greater London borough. [37108]

Ms Keeble

Information for the number of dwellings that have been vacant for five or more years is not available centrally.

The number of all vacant local authority and Registered Social Landlords' dwellings in each local authority area in London on 1 April 2001 (the latest available data) are set out alongside the local authorities' estimates of 'Other private' and 'Other public' sector dwellings. Also included are the number of local authority dwellings that have been vacant for more than six months and the estimated number of 'Other private' sector dwellings vacant for more than six months.

There will always be a certain level of empty property for operational reasons, including those vacant for very short periods between tenants.