asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about his survey of empty dwellings; how many houses and flats are empty in which areas and for how long; what are the reasons they have been kept empty; how they could be brought into use; and if he will consider permitting local authorities to requisition absentee private landlords' houses empty for more than six months without good reason.

There has been no recent Government survey of empty dwellings, but my right hon. Friend is considering whether the present financial constraints allow such a survey to be carried out.