To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of (a) single and (b) family defence estate accommodation is classed as (i) category 1, (ii) category 2, (iii) category 3 and (iv) category 4; what criteria he uses for deciding whether accommodation is sub-standard; and what assessment he has made of the findings of the Public Accounts Committee report on managing the defence estate. (175298)

[holding answer 18 December 2007]: Service Families Accommodation (SFA) and Single Living Accommodation (SLA) is assessed by Grade for Charge, while most SFA is also assessed by Standard for Condition. Grade for Charge takes account of an assessment of the physical condition of the accommodation and other factors such as location and closeness to amenities.

As at 30 June 2007, our worldwide SLA stock of some 165,500 bed spaces was at the following Grade for Charge.

At 1 April 2007, the worldwide SFA stock of some 70,193 properties is at the following Grade for Charge.

Of the 70,193, some 55,548 have also been assessed by Standard for Condition (SfC). These are broken down as follows:

All occupied accommodation is considered of a habitable standard. The Department currently expects to publish its response to the Public Accounts Committee report on managing the defence estate in February 2008.