§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) why, in the light of the balance of responses to "Streamlining the Cities: Housing", he has decided to adhere to his original proposal to repeal without replacement the Greater London council's statutory duty to provide research and information on London's housing;
(2) how surveys of the whole of London's housing stock will be carried out if the Greater London council is abolished.
§ Sir George YoungI refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of 16 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Hayes), at column 378.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a minimum as well as a maximum limit on the level of funding by the London boroughs under the proposed arrangements for collective grant-giving in the event of the Greater London council being abolished.
§ Sir George YoungNo.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will revise his proposal for the prescribed majority of boroughs required to fund a voluntary body under the proposed collective arrangements in the event of the Greater London council being abolished, from 66 per cent. to 51 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe Government's proposal that the required majority should be two thirds was set out in a consultation document issued on 20 September. Representations have been received both that this majority should be increased and that it should be reduced. Consultations are continuing, however, and no final decision has been taken.
154W
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Association of London Authorities over the Government's proposals for the collective funding by the London boroughs of voluntary organisations in the event of the Greater London council being abolished.
§ Sir George YoungThe consultation document on these proposals issued on 20 September was not sent to the Association of London Authorities, but copies went to the GLC and to the councils of all London boroughs; that is, to all the members of this association. The Government would welcome a response from the association to the consultation paper.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what comments he has received from voluntary bodies concerning the capacity of the London Boroughs Association for funding voluntary bodies in response to the White Paper, "Streamlining the Cities".
§ Sir George YoungA number of voluntary organisations have expressed doubts about the arrangements proposed for collective funding of voluntary bodies serving more than one borough. While I am confident that the statutory mechanism proposed will provide an adequate basis for London boroughs collectively to take on this role, we are nevertheless giving these representations serious consideration and will be having further discussions with representative voluntary bodies.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what form the consultation with tenants at Thamesmead will take about proposals to abolish the Greater London council; if it will commence before the publication of the main abolition Bill; when he expects it to finish; and what account will be taken of the wishes so expressed by the tenants.
§ Sir George YoungThere will be wide consultation with residents before any decision is taken, and a trust will not be imposed against their wishes.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what financial and administrative benefits he expects from vesting nomination rights in the Greater London council's seaside and country homes in him in the event of the Greater London council being abolished;
(2) if his detailed explorations into the possibility of transferring Thamesmead to a trust in the event of the Greater London council being abolished have revealed what administrative and financial benefits would accrue from such a transfer;
(3) what administrative and financial benefits will accrue from vesting nomination rights to homes in the London-wide mobility scheme in himself in the event of the Greater London council being abolished.
§ Sir George YoungI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 October, at column 704.