HC Deb 14 January 1976 vol 903 cc376-8
14. Mr. Durant

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to establish watchdog committees to scrutinise local authority staffing.

17. Mr. Jasper More

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet local authority leaders to discuss the Prime Minister's recent proposal that watchdog committees should be established to scrutinise local authority staffing.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Gordon Oakes)

It is for each council to decide for itself what committees to appoint, but I have no doubt that local authorities will consider the suggestions contained in the speech given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the local government conference at Eastbourne.

Mr. Durant

Is the Minister aware that NALGO is anxious about the rumours of cuts and that there will be a need to give some reassurance quickly? Will he remind his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister that his remarks at Eastbourne have not helped the situation in local government, which is at present struggling? To talks of Chiefs and Indians is not helpful to local authorities, which are doing their best to meet the Government's requirements.

Mr. Oakes

My right hon. Friend threw out a number of suggestions to the conference at Eastbourne. I remind the hon. Gentleman that local government manpower over the past 15 years has increased by over 1 million, much of which was due to measures introduced by previous Conservative Governments. Nevertheless, I take the point about representations by NALGO. It is hoped that any reductions in staff that may result will be dealt with by natural wastage.

Dr. Edmund Marshall

Whatever action the Government may take, will they ensure that nothing is done that will undermine the position of democratically elected councillors as the only legitimate representatives of ratepayers in local government?

Mr. Oakes

I am certain that that is so. I assure the House that when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke at Eastbourne, among a number of suggestions he threw out the idea of greater participation in local government, which I am sure all hon. Members would want.

Mr. Skinner

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that the Prime Minister was really saying that it would be a good idea to set up watchdog committees in local authorities not from elected members but from others who are non-elected? The Minister should be courageous enough to say from that Box today that we are not in business to set up second chambers all over the country. We have had enough embarrassment with the one we have here.

Mr. Oakes

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister was not suggesting second chambers. He was suggesting, among other things, greater participation by local authorities, not merely by those wanting to restrict expenditure but by those wanting to extend expenditure and to have greater participation by the public.

Mr. Newton

Will the Minister set up his own watchdog committee to examine the possible effects of increasing local authority staffing and the various proposals for a massive expansion in local authority trading and direct labour organisations?

Mr. Oakes

I am aware of a Private Bill emanating from the West Midlands. We shall examine that Bill. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the resulting staff contents of all legislative proposals put before the House, especially by either the Government or Private Members, are examined.