§ Mr. Allen McKayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the future status and functions of the specialist land reclamation teams currently employed by metropolitan county councils; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneDecisions on the future of the specialist reclamation teams employed by the metropolitan county councils must properly be taken by the successor authorities. At the same time my Department is prepared to use its good offices in advising how the teams might be maintained if there is a demand for this from the successor authorities.
The Local Government Bill has now been amended to require residuary bodies to ask each successor authority before abolition about the desirability of their taking over certain staff on the abolition date, in order to provide services temporarily to the successor bodies while long-term arrangements are being finalised.