§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consider introducing legislation whereby his Department can ensure that the new county councils reduce costs in proportion to the degree of the streamlining of their administrative functions;
(2) if he will issue advice to county councils concerning ways of reducing costs in proportion to the degree of streamlining of their administrative functions.
§ Mr. OakesIt is primarily for the new local authorities themselves to consider the staff and other resources they need to employ for the execution of their duties, and the forms of organisation that will be most effective. My right hon. Friend has not proposals in mind for new controls over the internal organisation of local authorities or the cost of such arrangements.
Advice on management matters is made available to local authorities in a number of ways, however. For instance, central and local government co-operated in the establishment of an expert committee—the Bains Committee—which published recommendations for an improved approach to the management of local authorities. More detailed management advice is also given by the Local Authorities Management Services and Computer Committee, which is financed by central and local government jointly.