To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority dwellings have been reported as vacant in the London borough of Tower Hamlets in each year since 1984; what percentage of the local authority housing stock these figures represent; and what is the comparable percentage in other London boroughs.
[holding answer 5 March 1992]: The available information on empty local authority dwellings is as follows:
| Tower Hamlets Borough Council | |||
| at 1 April | Number | Percentage of stock | Other London authorities Percentage of stock |
| 1984 | 1,464 | 7·7 | 3·7 |
| 1985 | 1,534 | 8·2 | 3·8 |
| 1986 | 3,200 | 6·6 | 3·3 |
| 1987 | 2,825 | 5·8 | 3·2 |
| 1988 | 2,526 | 5·3 | 2·8 |
| 1989 | 1,840 | 4·0 | 2·7 |
| 1990 | 1,758 | 4·0 | 2·8 |
| 1991 | 1,895 | 4·5 | 2·4 |
Notes:
(a) Local authorities report the numbers of their own dwellings that are vacant in their annual housing investment programme returns (HIP1).
(b) In 1986, dwellings previously owned by the Greater London council were transferred to the boroughs. For 1984 and 1985, all GLC dwellings, including those which were subsequently transferred to Tower Hamlets borough council, are included in the dwelling stock of 'other London authorities'.