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Armed Forces: Housing

Volume 503: debated on Wednesday 13 January 2010

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what recent estimate he has made of the cost to Modern Housing Solutions of upgrading all properties it manages under contract to his Department to energy efficiency Standard Assessment Procedure 81; (309646)

(2) how many of his Department’s properties managed under contract to Modern Housing Solutions have an energy efficiency Standard Assessment Procedure 81;

(3) how many of his Department’s properties managed by Modern Housing Solutions have an energy efficiency rating of (a) A, (b) B, (c) C, (d) D, (e) E, (f) F and (g) G.

[holding answer 11 January 2010]: The Department does not use standard assessment procedure (SAP) ratings to assess the energy efficiency of service family accommodation homes. Defence Estates uses the EcoHomes06 sustainability assessment model for all major improvement works and new build projects. This is an industry recognised environmental performance assessment model and covers a wider range of environmental impacts than the SAP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) longest, (b) shortest and (c) average period of time taken was to make repairs to forces accommodation after a call out in the last period for which figures are available. (310247)

[holding answer 11 January 2010]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 July 2009, Official Report, column 552W, to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox).

Additional information is currently being collated and verified. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether families are allowed to view armed services' accommodation before occupying it. (310248)

[holding answer 11 January 2010]: While this Department will do all it can to facilitate families who wish to view service family accommodation (SFA) prior to occupation, for practical reasons this is not always possible to guarantee. However, we are currently introducing “estate agent” style information packs for all UK SFA properties in order to provide occupants with key information relating to their future home.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many calls have been made to his Department's special forces housing helpline in the last 12 months. (310249)

[holding answer 11 January 2010]: There are several dedicated housing helplines and the information will take a little time to collect. I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.