Mike Penning: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the projected running costs are of the Empty Homes Agency's EMPRO website in the financial year 2006–07. [55249] Yvette Cooper [holding answer 2 March 2006]: EMPRO website is administered by the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and it is estimated that a minimum of £30,000 will be needed to maintain the website in the financial year 2006–07. Mike Penning: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities have subscribed to the Empty Homes Agency's EMPRO website; and what total fees have been collected. [55250] Yvette Cooper[holding answer 2 March 2006]: Local authorities subscribed to the EMPRO website include Birmingham and the London boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Kensington and Chelsea. The website was developed by local authorities in west London and launched as a pilot project in July 2004, with funding from the Government Office of London. Since then, the website has received fees of £5,000 from Birmingham council. Mike Penning: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the operation of the Empty Homes Agency's EMPRO website since November 2004; and if he will make a statement. [55251] Yvette Cooper[holding answer 2 March 2006]: The EMPRO website is an innovative way of supporting work to bring empty homes back into use. The website seeks to put potential developers and others who want to purchase empty properties as an investment opportunity in contact with owners who may be persuaded that selling the property is the best course of action to bring it back into use. | 
