To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of second homes in each region. (80530)

[holding answer 28 June 2006]: The number of second homes and the number of second homes as a proportion of the housing stock in each region in England are shown in the following table. The data are from a snapshot taken in October 2005, as recorded on CTB1 forms submitted by each local authority for council tax purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many properties are (a) designated as second homes and eligible for a council tax discount and (b) claiming such a discount in (i) the Lewes district council and (ii) Wealdon district council area. (81033)

There are 446 properties in the Lewes district council area and 956 properties in the Wealden district council area designated as second homes and claiming a discount in council tax as at 19 September 2005, the latest date for which figures are available.