Merseyside Residuary Body

HC Deb 19 January 1988 vol 125 cc602-3W

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present situation respecting the Merseyside residuary body; how long it is expected to remain in existence; how much it has cost in each year of its existence; what its budget is expected to be in 1988–89; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

The Merseyside residuary body and other residuary bodies are required to use their best endeavours to secure that their work is completed as soon as practicable and in any event within five years of the date of abolition of the Merseyside county council.

The cost of the Merseyside residuary body since its inception in 1985 is shown in its annual statements of accounts for 1985–86 and 1986–87, published on 18 November 1986 and 25 November 1987 respectively. Copies of these documents are available in the Library of the House. Costs in respect of 1987–88 will not be known until the 1987–88 accounts have been audited and certified. Budget estimates for 1988–89 are matters for the residuary body.