§ Mr. Hanley asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he proposes to exercise his reserve powers under paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to the Local Government. Act 1985 in respect of traffic control systems.
§ Mr. RidleyYes. I propose to accede to the London co-ordinating committee's request to exercise my reserve powers to take over the traffic control system in London, employing the London Residuary Body as my agent from 1 April 1986. Officials of my Department have written to the London boroughs with details of my proposals for managing the system and I am arranging for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House. The appropriate specialist GLC staff will be transferred to the Residuary Body by order.
In Merseyside, the co-ordinating committee was unable to agree satisfactory joint arrangements and I therefore intend to exercise my reserve powers to take over the traffic control system in that area. As in London, I propose to ask the Residuary Body to act as my agent with appropriate transfer of MCC staff.
I expect the boroughs and districts in both areas to develop proposals for joint arrangements in the longer term.