§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has had from Islington borough council as to whether expenditure on the London labour leaders group has yet taken place; and if, in the light of the information concerning expenditure on that body given by the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Graham) to the Standing Committee on the Local Authorities (Expenditure Powers) Bill, he will order an extraordinary audit of the accounts of those councils which have incurred this expense.
§ Sir George YoungThe leader of Islington borough council has recently informed me that about £9,800 has been spent in connection with the London labour leaders group and that the cost is to be shared between the authorities participating. This is the same figure as was quoted by the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Graham) during the Commons Committee stage of the Local Authorities (Expenditure Powers) Bill. Such expenditure will shortly come under audit scrutiny in the normal way. The question of an extraordinary audit is still being considered.