§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why one of his Department's officials made reference at a press conference on 21 March to a counter-obstruction unit set up within his Department in connection with the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe House has been informed on several previous occasions of the responsibilities of the small division set up to administer those measures in the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act and the Local Government Bill which require the GLC and the metropolitan county councils to obtain my right hon. Friend's consent before proceeding with certain decisions. This has allowed over 4,000 specific applications for consent, to date, to be dealt with quickly. That division also advises my right hon. Friend on what further measures may be needed to counter possible activities of those authorities likely to be prejudicial to the interests of successor authorities and their ratepayers.
§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the voluntary bodies for which he has approved grants by the Greater London council under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.
§ Sir George YoungI shall reply shortly.