§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's homes have been empty in each year since 1990; what action is being taken to reduce their numbers; and if he will make a statement. [25813]
§ Dr. MoonieData for service family accommodation in UK for 1990 and 1995–2001 are given in table 3.31 of UK Defence Statistics 2001, which is available in the Library of the House. The data for the period 1991 to 1994 is available in earlier editions of Defence Statistics. A summary is given in the table:
Thousand Year to April Vacant service family accommodation 1990 11.8 1991 10.3 1992 9.4 1993 9.2 1994 9.9 1995 9.9 1996 13.5 1997 13.2 1998 13.5 1999 14.0 2000 14.7 2001 10.4 Over many years, the continuing decline in service families' demand for married quarters has offset reductions in the Defence housing stock. However, the Defence Housing Executive is making good progress with a substantial programme of surplus property disposal. Over 6,700 houses were disposed of in the 15 months to 31 March 2001, and a further 3,500 have been identified for disposal by 31 March 2002.