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Empty Government Homes
Mr. Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department, the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence are taking to reduce the number of empty Government-owned homes. [92321]
Ms Armstrong: We are determined to reduce the number of empty Government homes, and today I have published revised guidance for Government Departments on how best to tackle their empty properties.
I am concerned that the figures for Government empty homes released today show a small increase. We are determined to bring these figures down.
Our new guidance is concise, user friendly and includes examples of innovative good practice.
I expect all Government Departments, using the revised guidance along with challenging new targets, to make a real reduction in the number of vacant properties.
Details of achievement against targets for 1998-99, and new targets for 1999-2000 are listed in the table.
Copies of the new guidance--"Revised Guidance on Securing the Better Use of Empty Homes"--have been placed in the Library of the House.
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| Home Office | DETR | MOD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total stock at 1 April 1998 | 3,189 | 2,473 | 64,238 |
| Total stock at 1 April 1999 | 2,550 | 1,901 | 62,420 |
| Total empty stock at 1 April 1998 | 217 | 692 | 13,225 |
| Total empty stock at 1 April 1999 | 259 | 480 | 13,568 |
| Target for percentage empty at 1 April 1999 | Less than 5 per cent. | Less than 18 per cent. | To dispose of 1,200 empty homes |
| Achievement against target | 10.2 per cent. | 25 per cent. | Disposal of 1,323 empty homes |
| Target for empty at 1 April 2000 | Less than 5 per cent. | Less than 18 per cent. | To dispose of 2,018 empty homes |
| Target for percentage habitable homes empty for more than 6 months at 1 April 1999 | Less than 1 per cent. | Less than 7 per cent. | -- |
| Achievement against target | 2.7 per cent. | 4.5 per cent. | -- |
| Target for percentage habitable homes empty for more than 6 months at 1 April 2000 | Less than 1 per cent. | Less than 3 per cent. | -- |
| Action being taken to dispose of habitable homes empty for more than 6 months | (4)-- | (5)-- | (6)-- |
(4) Forty-four retained on security grounds or for use by Prison Chaplains. Thirteen on the market, 9 reallocated, 2 held to accommodate a decant from two blocks of flats that are to be sold with vacant possession, 1 being occupied temporarily for a police operation, 1 being used temporarily to house recruits during refurbishment of Peel Centre Residential blocks.
(5) ½ of all vacant properties are in the process of being sold. Clearer guidance being issued on demolition, selling and refurbishing options. Addressing with vigour the performance of agents (who manage 2/3 of HA stock).
(6) The Defence Housing Executive's Chief Executive is committed to reducing the total number of void properties and has set a publicly accountable target to reduce voids by 13 per cent. by 31 March 2002.
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Best Value
Gillian Merron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to set up a body to oversee inspections under the Best Value Regime. [92322]
Ms Armstrong: The Best Value Inspectorate Forum for England will be formally launched tomorrow. This forum will provide an opportunity for the Inspectorates involved in best value to consider strategic issues relating to the inspection of best value authorities in England and will be an effective channel of communication for the Inspectorates with central Government, local authorities and other interested parties, on best value.
Separate arrangements are being made to oversee best value inspection in Wales.
Environment Agency
Mr. Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are being made to appoint a chairman of the Environment Agency. [92358]
Mr. Meacher: The current chairman of the Environment Agency, Lord De Ramsey, has announced his intention to retire at the beginning of next year.
I have appointed recruitment consultants to assist in identifying suitable candidates to succeed Lord De Ramsey, and the post is being advertised in the national press.
This is a key appointment. The Environment Agency plays a central part in protecting and enhancing the environment in England and Wales. It has major responsibilities for managing and regulating the water environment, and for controlling industrial pollution and wastes. The role of chairman in determining the strategic direction of the Agency, inspiring its staff, and ensuring that it discharges its statutory duties is vital to the continued improvements in the environment which we are seeking.
The successful candidate will need to have the skills, experience, ability and vision to lead a major public sector organisation with a budget of over £600 million per year and over 9,000 employees, and to develop a successful relationship with the wide range of bodies who have
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dealings with the Agency. I welcome interest from people, from all sectors of the community, who measure up to the special and demanding requirements of this appointment.
Dr. Whitehead:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the cup and cone safety system for passenger carriages on trains. [90763]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The Health and Safety Executive has carried out tests of this safety system and is satisfied that it would significantly improve the safety of Mark 1 rolling stock.
The Deputy Prime Minister has announced today the elimination of all Mark 1 rolling stock from the network by the end of 2004. We expect to see the bulk of such trains phased out substantially before then, but any remaining on the network after the end of 2002 will need to be safety modified in order to remain in operation until the end of 2004.
Mr. Field:
To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell), representing the Church Commissioners, what is the cumulative cost to date of the financial compensation package for those priests unwilling to accept women's ordination; and if he will estimate the total cumulative cost at the end of the 10 year guarantee period. [91657]
Mr. Stuart Bell:
At 31 December 1998 the cumulative gross cost, to be met from the Commissioners' income, under the terms of the Ordination of Women (Financial Provisions) Measure 1993, was £13.5 million. The Commissioners' latest estimate of the total cumulative gross cost to the end of the guaranteed period is approximately £23 million. The figure is based on our current prediction of 400 resignations by 21 February 2004, and estimates for payments up to 21 February 2014.
Actual expenditure up to 31 December 1998 and illustrative costings based on 400 resignations are set out in the following table. It should be noted that from 1 January 1998, these costings include pension contributions towards the new funded clergy pension scheme, approximately £0.49 million in 1998.
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(7) Figures are estimates
Notes:
1. The number of resignations shown (400) is a broad estimate based on current assumptions and knowledge of proposed resignations.
2. Actual costs are shown for 1994 to 1998 based on resignations shown, including housing subsidy. A similar pattern of costs has been projected for future years.
3. The figures for 1998 onwards also include pension contributions for resigning clergy paid to the Pensions Board.
4. The figures make allowance for future increases in house prices and stipends.
5. The net figure takes account of such variables as stipends savings (assuming at least a temporary reduction in the payroll), allowance for retirement housing provision which would otherwise have arisen on retirement, and the possibility of some people redeeming loans or leaving rented accommodation once they have obtained alternative employment.
20 Jul 1999 : Column: 489
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