§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department is spending on publicising its plans to abolish the Greater London council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JenkinMy Department has no special budget for publicising the proposal to abolish the GLC. In view of the complexity and importance of the Government's local 341W government policies, however, I have increased the capacity within my Department's local government command, (within the Department's overall manpower resources) to ensure that the general public are properly and factually informed about the reasons for, and nature of, the Government's policies affecting local government, including the abolition of the GLC. Four officials have been transferred to this work from other duties.
By contrast, I understand the GLC has spent over £¾ million of ratepayers' money so far this financial year on political propaganda against the Government's policy. I understand, too, that proposals are now before the council for a further £1 million to be spent on the publicity campaign by the end of the current financial year.