HC Deb 21 December 1983 vol 51 cc258-9W
27. Mr. Boyes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any independent assessments of the costs involved in abolishing the metropolitan county councils.

Mr. Waldegrave

No, but some of the authorities involved have sent me estimates of the savings that will arise and I have today received a report of the study commissioned by the metropolitan county councils on the past expenditure performance of their authorities.

41. Mr. Nellist

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if any extra costs involved in abolishing the metropolitan county councils will be met by his Department rather than by ratepayers in the areas concerned.

Mr. Waldegrave

Even in the first year after abolition, savings could more than offset transitional costs. Thereafter, the net savings will be substantial. The ratepayers in the areas concerned will benefit from the savings, and it is right that they should bear any initial costs.

51. Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many officials of each grade are working on his proposals to break up the Greater London council, the Inner London education authority and the metropolitan county councils; and what percentage of their time is being spent on this work.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

The information, which covers staff in eight Departments, is as follows:

Grade Estimated full-time equivalents
Deputy Secretary 0.2
Under Secretary 2.1
Director B 0.4
Deputy Chief Scientific Officer 0.1
Chief Statistician 0.3
Assistant Secretary 8.0
Assistant Solicitor 0.9
Assistant Chief Engineer 0.1
Superintending Engineer 0.5
Superintending Planner 0.1
Principal 12.2
Principal Engineer 0.1
Principal Research Officer 0.1
Senior Executive Officer 0.5
Higher Executive Officer 4.6
Executive Officer 2.4
Clerical Officer/Assistant 1.9
Personal Secretary 5.5
Total 40

58. Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many members of the Greater London council and each of the six metropolitan counties have expressed in writing to the Secretary of State their support for the Government's proposals for the abolition of the councils in question.

Mr. Waldegrave

I have received many representations from members of these authorities about our abolition proposals. They include significant support for abolition among Conservative councillors.