To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many vacant dwellings there were in the eastern region in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) local authority ward; and if she will make a statement. (114670)

[holding answer 11 January 2007]: For the number of vacant properties in each local authority in the eastern region I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Rogerson) on 25 July 2006, Official Report, column 1604W. The most recent information is reported at 10 October 2005.

A table showing the number of vacant dwellings by ward in the East of England, as reported by local authorities through a survey of vacant homes, has been placed in the Library of the House. The figures presented are for all vacancies at 31 March 2005, including those that have been empty for less than six months. Some figures are absent due to missing survey returns from local authorities.