The information is as follows:
(a) The number of vacant public sector dwellings in each government office region in England, as at 1 April 2006, is tabled as follows. These figures are for all vacant dwellings, including dwellings that have been empty for less than six months, some for less than one month. Totals may not equal the sum of individual region's figures, due to rounding.
Government office region Local authority Registered social landlord ‘Other’ public sector Total public sector North East 4,360 3,240 920 8,500 North West 6,300 7,950 920 15,200 Yorks and Humber 6,140 2,880 410 9,400 East Midlands 4,290 1,240 610 6,100 West Midlands 3,920 4,550 170 8,600 East 3,110 1,870 1,050 6,000 London 10,110 4,410 1,150 15,700 South East 2,780 2,470 1,280 6,500 South West 1,890 1,570 840 4,300 England 42,900 30,200 7,300 80,400 Sources:1. Communities and Local Government's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return (HSSA) for LA and 'other' public sector tenures. Data are provisional and do not take account of Audit Commission's Comprehensive Performance Assessment process.2. Housing Corporation's Regulatory Statistical Return for RSL tenure.
(b) Information on the number of vacant public sector commercial and industrial properties is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8 November 2006, Official Report, column 1563W.