HC Deb 21 December 1979 vol 976 cc542-4W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to disband the economic planning councils and other fringe bodies; if he will list the fringe bodies concerned; and how much he estimates this will save; and what other reductions in functions and support services he is proposing to save manpower.

Mr. Heseltine

[pursuant to his reply,13 December 1979, c. 776]: I announced on 7 August that economic planning councils were to cease as from 1 September, and on 17 September I announced that a further 49 public bodies were to cease in due course, either under existing plans, or as a result of my decision. Financial support was also to be withdrawn from the Centre for Environmental Studies. A list of these bodies is attached.

The saving in administrative costs, as I said on 17 September, will be about£1.4 million; additionally, there will be a reduction in the new towns investment programme as the new towns corporations are wound up.

As announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department on Thursday 6 December—[Vol. 975, c. 627–38]—my Department, including Ordnance Survey, is also committed to savings of £39.1 million gross and 6,350 staff to be achieved through a radical change in the scale of operation in the conduct of government. The savings will be achieved by such measures as the repeal of the Community Land Act, a relaxation of controls over local authorities, the disbandment of unproductive bodies, by a greater use of contractors for maintenance work, reduction in building and dispersal programmes and by a reduction in the scale of activity throughout the Department including a rationalisation of the organisation and establishment functions as a consequence of the reduction in the size of the Department. Consideration is also being given to a number of options for a radical reform of building control in England and Wales. Detailed consideration is now being given to the most effective means of achieving the savings which are to be phased over a three-year period 1980–81 to 1982–83.

I. Public Bodies to be Wound Up

Name of Body

Advisory Committee on Birds

Sanctuaries in the Royal Parks

Advisory Committee on Housing Co-operatives

Advisory Committee on Trees in the Royal Parks

Ancient Monuments Board for Rescue Archaeology

Area Archaeological Advisory Committees (13)

Clean Air Council

Committee to examine the standards of Lawn Tennis in Great Britain

Construction and Housing Research Advisory

Council and the Planning and Transportation Research Advisory Council Construction Industry Manpower Board

Detergents and Allied Products: Voluntary Notification Scheme Scrutiny Group

Standing Technical Committee on Synthetic Detergents

Environmental Board

Hadrian's Wall Advisory Committee

Housing Associations Registration Advisory Committee

Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Committee

Location of Offices Bureau

Recreation Management Training Commit tee

Regional Economic Planning Councils (8)

II. To be retained for the present but which will be wound-up in due course

Advisory Panel on Institutional Finance in New Towns

New Towns Development Corporations (16)

New Towns Staff Commission

Commission for the New Towns

III. Body from which financial support will be withdrawn

The Centre for Environmental Studies