HC Deb 27 April 1983 vol 41 cc860-2
17. Mr. Eggar

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to abolish the Greater London council.

Mr. King

I have at present no plans to legislate for abolition. The need for the Greater London council in its present form is a matter that I keep under review as part of my overall concern with securing an economical and cost-effective framework for local government.

Mr. Eggar

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Mr. Ken Livingstone has two achievements to his credit? First, he is slightly less unpopular than the Leader of the Opposition. Secondly, he has made Londoners aware of the GLC. Now that Londoners are aware of the GLC they want it abolished. When will my right hon. Friend do that?

Mr. King

My hon. Friend seems to be quoting the poll in today's Standard, in which Mr. Livingstone is identified by Londoners as an even greater misfortune for the capital than the Labour-controlled GLC that he leads. As my hon. Friend rightly points out, however, all things are relative and Mr. Livingstone still manages to achieve a higher score than the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. George Cunningham

Is the Secretary of State aware that some Labour-controlled authorities in London are still keen to use public funds to finance a Labour local authority association? Is he aware that, having been advised that it is not legal to do that explicitly, they are now building conditions into the constitution of the new association about, for example, the abolition or not of the GLC so as to ensure that only Labour authorities are likely to join the association? Will he look carefully at the proposed constitution of the association and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent Labour authorities from stealing public funds for Labour party purposes?

Mr. King

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that that is not principally a matter for me. In the first instance, it is a matter for the ratepayers of the borough, who can make representations to the district auditor if they think that there is improper use of public funds. That is the long-hallowed responsibility of the district auditor. I am aware, however, that enterprises are now being undertaken by local authorities that are a total abuse of what local authorities in the past would have considered to be the proper use of their funds. This raises very serious issues and, as I said yesterday, I am considering the matter.

Mr. Jay

Has the Secretary of State any proposals for the abolition of the constituency of Enfield, North?

Mr. King

No, Sir.

Mr. Squire

Despite the undoubted horrors perpetrated by Mr. Livingstone, will my right hon. Friend consider carefully before acting on the lines advocated by my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar), not least because a number of regional functions will remain that cannot be devolved to local authorities? Is he aware that, faced with the choice between an elected authority or a non-elected quango, or arm of central Government, many of us prefer on balance to retain an elected regional authority?

Mr. King

I understand my hon. Friend's point. He will have noticed from my reply that, although I understand the irritations that Mr. Livingstone can cause, the burden that he is placing on London and the number of jobs that have been lost in London as a result of his and his colleagues' activities, my overall concern is to secure an economical and cost-effective framework for local government.

Mr. Graham

Before considering again the abolition of the GLC, will the Secretary of State reflect on the fact that Londoners have substantially endorsed the GLC's policies on transport and job creation?

Mr. Eggar

Read the survey.

Mr. Graham

If the hon. Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar) is so anxious about performance in local government, would he not be better employed using his time trying to improve the disgraceful level of services that are given to his and my constituents by the Tory-controlled London borough of Enfield?

Mr. King

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman is acting as an apologist for Mr. Livingstone and some of the activities of members of the GLC. He knows that some of their activities bring great discredit on the standards and tradition of local authorities, and many of the members of his party know it, too.