HC Deb 24 May 1984 vol 60 cc464-6W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect he anticipates the abolition of the Greater London council would have on the implementation and monitoring of his Department's circular 21/82, "Guidelines for Aggregate Provision in England and Wales".

Mr. Macfarlane

None. I am confident that those London boroughs underlain by mineral resources will carry out their minerals planning responsibilities with due regard to wider issues, including circular 21/82, and to liaise together where it is desirable for them to do so. They will be assisted in this by the south-east regional aggregates working party, which is paying particular attention to the implementation and monitoring of the aggregates guidelines set out in circular 21/82.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultative arrangements will be made to continue the work of the London canals consultative committee if the Greater London council is abolished.

Mr. Waldegrave

Neither the GLC nor the London boroughs have any statutory responsibility for canals in London. It will be for the boroughs themselves to consider the need for any continued liaison arrangements, in consultation with the British Waterways Board.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council, what extra resources will be made available to the city of Westminster to deal with the inherited functions of building control, licensing and street naming.

Mr. Waldegrave

It will be necessary to adjust the grant-related expenditure assessments for all London boroughs to reflect the effects of abolition. This is under consideration.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 21 May, if he will give a breakdown of the figure of £369 million quoted by the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Wandsworth as savings arising in the event of abolition of the Greater London council.

Mr. Waldegrave

I refer the hon. Member to the figures he quoted on 9 May in the debate on the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Bill, at column 947.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how he will co-ordinate and assess problems for action in the planning and improvement of the areas of opportunity of metropolitan importance in the approved Greater London development plan; and from where regional park authorities, such as the Lee Valley regional park authority, or conferences such as the Colne Valley standing conference, will obtain the necessary resources and professional support for their plans and programmes if the Greater London council is abolished.

Sir George Young

It will be for the boroughs themselves in preparing their unitary development plans to decide how they should deal with any areas of opportunity in the Greater London development plan. We are still considering what detailed arrangements should be made for the Lee Valley regional park authority following abolition.

I understand that the Colne Valley standing conference, which is a voluntary association of interested authorities, is already considering alternative forms of management structure and financing for the Colne Valley park.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council, who will assume responsibility for continuing the development of geothermal energy in London.

Mr. Waldegrave

It will be open to any London borough councils (individually or jointly) to carry forward the council's experimental work on developing geothermal energy if they choose; but the council has a specific function in this area for which responsibility will be transferred.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has of the work of the Greater London council's department of mechanical and electrical engineering; and if he will make a statement on its future in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council.

Mr. Waldegrave

I understand that the department provides technical support for a wide range of GLC functions. Accordingly, as with other general support services, its future will be a matter for the bodies which will take over those functions at abolition.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the proposals contained in Cmnd. 9063 and the consultation document on planning allow for the participation of London's public in the preparation of strategic guidance for the London boroughs.

Mr. Macfarlane

Yes. Before issuing strategic guidance the Secretary of State would consider the advice of the proposed London planning commission. That advice would be made public, as would the Secretary of State's draft guidance. There would be an opportunity for comments to be considered before the guidance was finalised.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can give any indication as to the appropriate grouping of neighbouring boroughs for planning purposes if the Greater London council is abolished.

Mr. Waldegrave

No. This is a matter for discussion at the appropriate time.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment who will liase with the standing conference on London and south-east region planning on London-wide issues such as the green belt, waste disposal and power generation if the Greater London council is abolished.

Mr. Macfarlane

As indicated in my right hon. Friend's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt) on 4 May at columns264–66 the London planning commission will be expected, in formulating its advice to him, to take account of the regional context, after consulting relevant bodies, including the standing conference. The existing direct relationship between my right hon. Friend and the standing conference on matters of strategic importance will continue.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has now reached a decision on the future use of county hall in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council.

Mr. Waldegrave

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 14 December 1983 at column466.