§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average daily number of civil servants from his Department attending Standing Committee G considering the Local Government Bill; and what was the total cost.
§ Sir George YoungThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Greater London council, the Inner London education authority and the metropolitan county councils were informed of the Government's amendment to the Local Government Bill seeking further controls over certain activities of those local authorities; what is the nature of the proposed controls; from what date they become effective; and what method was used to advise the local authorities.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe nature of the proposed new control over the GLC and metropolitan county councils, since approved by the House, covering enforceable agreements and arrangements, and the amendments to those contained in the 1984 Act, was set out in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess) on Thursday 21 March at columns 543–45.
331WLetters giving details of the proposals were delivered by hand to the chief executive of the Greater London council and the chief officer of the Inner London education authority by 4.15 pm on the same day, and by 3.30 pm at the latest to the chief executives of each of the metropolitan county councils.
The chief officer at ILEA has confirmed receipt of the letter that afternoon. In the case of the GLC, this courtesy was clearly unnecessary since I understand that a press conference was held to outline the council's reactions at 2.30 pm, before my announcement to the House. My officials briefed the press at 3.30 pm.