HC Deb 29 October 1984 vol 65 cc864-5W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the functions now intended to be transferred to the residuary body in the event of abolition of the Greater London council; for how long each such function is intended to be the responsibility of the residuary body; and to whom each will be transferred, if not already spent, on the winding-up of the residuary body.

Mr. Waldegrave

The residual tasks which it is proposed should become the responsibility of the Greater London Residuary Body are spelled out in section 2.27 of the document, "The Government's Proposals for Transferring Functions to London Boroughs and Metropolitan Districts", which my right hon. Friend placed in the Library of the House on 31 July. The document also makes clear that each Residuary Body is intended to have a limited life and will be required to make arrangements to facilitate its own wind-up as soon as practicable. Within this general framework, it will be for the residuary bodies themselves to make proposals to my right hon. Friend for any of their responsibilities which have not been fully discharged before they are wound up.

Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial assistance he is prepared to give to Merseyside citizens' advice bureaux should the abolition of the Merseyside county council take place; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

The Government's proposals for a statutory provision to facilitate funding of voluntary organisations which undertake work in more than one metropolitan district are set out in the consultation paper issued on 20 September: "Abolition of the Greater London Council and the Metropolitan County Councils: Support for the Voluntary Sector". A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Where a metropolitan county council grant is currently being supported under the Urban Programme the Urban Programme Allocation will be offered to the appropriate district council.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek statutory powers to ensure that standards of management and maintenance in the Greater London council's seaside and country homes will be maintained at their current level in the event of the Greater London council being abolished.

Sir George Young

[pursuant to his reply, 25 October 1984, c. 746]: No, but I understand that some three-quarters of the seaside and country homes are already managed and maintained locally by the district councils acting as agents for the GLC.