HC Deb 16 July 1984 vol 64 cc56-7W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of section 142 money allocated for 1984–85 in each of the metropolitan authorities which Her Majesty's Government propose to abolish; and on what activities such money was spent in each of the past three years.

Mr. Waldegrave

My right hon. Friend does not make allocations in relation to expenditure under section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the number of financial transactions likely to be scrutinised by his Department arising from amendments Her Majesty's Government are proposing to the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Bill which restrict the commitments which certain councils may enter into without his approval.

Mr. Waldegrave

The number of applications for consent that would be required as a result of the proposed amendments to the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Bill will depend upon decisions yet to be taken by the authorities concerned, and on the scope of consents of a general nature to be issued under the legislation.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of section 137 money currently raised in each of the Greater London council and metropolitan county councils; and on what the money has been spent in each such authority in each of the past three years.

Mr. Waldegrave

Figures for 1982–83, the first year in which information was collected, were as follows, according to information supplied by the authorities in question:

Section 137 Local Government Act 1972
Authority Net expenditure 2p rate product
£ million £ million
GLC 8.39 38.75
Greater Manchester CC 1.82 8.84
West Midlands CC 6.83 8.95
Tyne and Wear CC 0.69 3.81
West Yorkshire CC 6.57 6.94
South Yorkshire CC 0.76 4.54
Merseyside CC 4.56 4.99

Figures for 1983–84 are not yet available. Information on specific payments is not collected centrally.