Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) management, (b) maintenance and (c) lost income costs of empty service accommodation were in each of the last five years; and what (i) size and (ii) type of properties have been vacant in that period.

The costs to manage and maintain Service Family Accommodation (SFA) are broadly the same whether the accommodation is occupied or vacant.

No calculation of lost income for vacant properties is made.

The percentage of vacant SFA properties is shown below:

As at 31 March 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Void Percentage 15% 12% 13% 16% 19%

This gradual increase in vacant properties is due to preparation for the return of personnel from Germany.