§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he proposes to take in respect of the Greater London council research library in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council; and if he will make a statement on the future of the library.
§ Sir George YoungNo decision has yet been taken on future arrangements for the Greater London research library.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment which voluntary organisations are, to his knowledge, opposing abolition of the Greater London council because they have become too dependent on the Greater London council for financial support as indicated in his speech to the annual general meeting of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations on 12 November.
§ Sir George Young[pursuant to his reply, 23 November 1984, c. 312]: In his speech my right hon. Friend was issuing a general warning about the dangers to voluntary organisations of becoming over-dependent on particular sources of public funding—whether central or local government — and the way in which this could compromise their independence.