§ Mr. Roger Kingasked the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he proposes to introduce to ensure that the work of the existing metropolitan county council and the Greater London council accident investigation and analysis units continues if the Local Government Bill is enacted.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIt is for successor authorities to decide on what arrangements they wish to make to continue the work of accident investigation and analysis units. The Department has issued advice to London boroughs and metropolitan district councils and stands ready to offer further advice and assistance.
Under the Local Government Act 1985 the residuary bodies have been given a duty to ascertain from successor authorities what professional and technical services they wish to see continued, and if necessary to enter into agreements with those authorities to maintain the services until permanent arrangements are settled. Successor authorities will want to consider the arrangements for accident investigation and prevention, including the link with traffic and accident data banks, and then decide whether these activities should be undertaken by the appropriate residuary body or by a lead district council or London borough.