HC Deb 09 April 1984 vol 58 cc72-3W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what mechanism he proposes to ensure that the London boroughs appoint councillors to the Greater London council reflecting the balance of the parties.

Mr. Waldegrave

Clause 2 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Bill places a statutory duty on the boroughs which will be enforceable in the courts.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends that the process of appointing members to the Greater London council shall be the process for constituting the several London-wide bodies necessary if the Greater London council's functions are fragmented and dispersed.

Mr. Waldegrave

We propose to create only three new statutory bodies in London—the education authority for inner London, the joint board for fire, and the body to handle residual matters. The members of the new education authority will be directy elected. The arrangements for appointment of members to the fire board and the residuary body are set out in paragraphs 3.2–3.6 and 5.17 respectively of Cmnd. 9063.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to include the transfer of recreation and amenity functions from the Thames water authority to the boroughs and to other London public bodies in the proposed Bill to abolish the Greater London council.

Mr. Waldegrave

No.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to reconstitute existing London-wide bodies such as the Thames water authority on the same basis as that proposed for the Greater London council.

Mr. Waldegrave

No.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the application of the requirements of clause 2(5) of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Bill regarding the appointment of members of the Greater London council in cases where two appointments are to be made when the numbers on the appointing London borough council are 50 Labour, three Conservative, seven Liberal or 51 Labour, one Social Democrat or 39 Conservative, 15 Labour or 31 Labour. 17 Liberal or 43 Conservative, 16 Labour, one Independent or 37 Labour, two Independent, two Conservative, three Liberal, three Ratepayers, or 41 Conservative, six Labour, 13 Liberal, three Ratepayers or 40 Conservative, three Labour or seven Alliance.

Mr. Waldegrave

This is a matter for each borough to decide.