To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlie the decisions about how MOD houses are graded; if he will make a statement on the differences between the four grades; and which grades are suitable to house service personnel. [110467]
All Service Families Accommodation (SFA) is Graded in accordance with the Ministry of Defence's 4-Tier Grading system. The Grading system takes into account the size and condition of the SFA plus environmental factors such as aircraft noise and distance from amenities. All Grades of SFA are used to house Service personnel.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MoD houses are empty; how many have been empty for more than six months; and if he will make a statement. [110468]
| All services | 1 April 1997 | 1 April 1998 | 1 April 1999 | 1 April 2000 | 1 Apri1 2001 | 1 April 2002 | 1 March 2003 |
| Surplus/Deficit | -8,320 | -8,190 | -8,100 | -7,740 | -9,440 | -9,030 | -6,570 |
| Naval service | |||||||
| Surplus/Deficit | -1,230 | -1,460 | -1,620 | -990 | -1,360 | -1,690 | -920 |
| Army | |||||||
| Surplus/Deficit | -4,840 | -4,890 | -5,370 | -6,060 | -6,600 | -6,560 | -5,110 |
| Royal Air Force | |||||||
| Surplus/Deficit | -2,250 | -1,850 | -1,120 | -690 | -1,490 | -790 | -550 |
Note:
All Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, totals may not equal the sum of the parts
These figures exclude:
Trained Personnel in the Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service, full and part time), Army Reservists mobilised for service, RAF Reservists mobilised for service, Gibraltar Permanent Cadre and Naval Activated Reservists.
These figures include:
Trained UK Regular Forces, Full Time Reserve Service Personnel (FTRS) and Trained Gurkhas.