asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many residential units of accommodation in the ownership of his Department in central London are unoccupied; what is the longest period of such vacancies; and what action is being taken to bring such premises into useful occupation.

15 residential units in my Department's ownership are currently vacant, of which six require or are undergoing necessary works before reoccupation. A further two units are on offer, and one is to be offered for letting to the local authority. The remaining six units are normally used for official requirements and will be brought back into use as soon as practical. The longest period of vacancy has been 17 months in the case of property on offer to the local authority.