To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the annual cost to his Department, his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies of their empty and under-utilised properties for (a) 1979–80, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95, (f) 1995–96 and (g) 1996–97. [11528]
The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
In respect of DSS departmental estate, the cost of empty and under-utilised properties is shown in the table.
Year
| Vacant or under-utilised properties
| Cost £000
|
| 1979–80 | Minimal | Minimal |
| 1989–90 | Minimal | Minimal |
| 1991–92 | Minimal | Minimal |
| 1993–94 | Minimal | Minimal |
| 1994–95 | 8,830m2 | 420 |
| 1995–96 | 8,830m2 | 1,682 |
| 1996–97 | 131,593m2 | 15,500 |
Providing the information for each executive agency and non-departmental public body could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
In response to the information required regarding the current and past financial years in respect of properties on the common user (office) estate, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.