HC Deb 10 November 1982 vol 31 cc543-4
18. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a list of all the statutory functions of the Greater London Council which relate to his responsibilities.

Mr. King

The Library already has, I understand, a copy of the comprehensive "Index of Statutes affecting Local Government in Greater London". This covers not only the London Government Act 1963 but the numerous local Acts in force in the GLC's area.

Mr. Spearing

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the matters that are the responsibility of his Department and of his colleagues in Government have often, in the past 100 years or so, been the responsibility of London's local government, under the London County Council and its successor? Does he really believe that he can administer those matters without a uniform body covering the whole of London?

Mr. King

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that our primary concern is with local authority expenditure and the overall level of expenditure. Against that background, the hon. Gentleman would be singularly ignorant—which I know he is not—if he did not know that the GLC's recent performance has hardly contributed to the collective effort by local authorities to meet the Government's public expenditure target.

Mr. Durant

Will my right hon. Friend consider abolishing the GLC? Will he further consider letting that building as a multi-storey car park, as the corridors are wide enough?

Mr. King

As I have said, our first concern is with expenditure, not structure. However, I well understand my hon. Friend's concern—it is shared by millions of Londoners—that the GLC's behaviour serves only to increase the totals given on the GLC's banner. The rate burdens imposed by the GLC have undoubtedly added directly to the number of London's unemployed.

Mr. Graham

With reference to the disclosure about the Strongbridge housing association and certain Tory members of the GLC, the Minister will recall that I raised such matters with one of his colleagues in the House last July. May we have an assurance that the Minister will come to the House at the earliest opportunity and make a full statement, recognising that the effectiveness of the monitoring function of the Housing Corporation must now be in question?

Mr. King

That point does not arise directly from this question. However, whether the issues affect Labour, Tory or other councillors, they must be properly investigated.