To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for how many months each of the unoccupied ministerial residences in Admiralty House has been empty; and how much has been paid to date in (a) utility bills and (b) council tax in respect of each of those properties over that period. (258123)

One flat has been vacant since 27 June 2007 and the other since 30 June 2006. Along with other shared costs, utility costs are calculated on the basis of a share of those for Admiralty House as a whole and are not held separately for individual flats. For the flat vacated in 2007 council tax to end March 2009 is £1,700 and for the other flat the cost is £3,153.