§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will appoint a committee to examine whether the implementation of the Bains Report and the appointment of chief executive officers by most local authorities has resulted in more efficient local government administration; and if he will make a statement;
458Whave been handled since 1st August, when a ban was imposed by two of the Civil Service union branches at the licensing centre and at its associated local licensing offices on the grounds that abuses of the existing extra-statutory arrangements had placed their members in an intolerable position. Power to regulate cherished transfers was taken in the Finance Act 1976, and proposals have been put to the unions. I await their response.