HC Deb 23 May 1985 vol 79 cc502-3W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each of the residuary bodies to assume responsibility in the event of abolition of the Greater London council and metropolitan county councils the names of the people who have been appointed as shadow chairmen and core members of each body.

Mr. Waldegrave

No such appointments have been made.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will take steps to retain skilled Greater London council computer staff in a temporary body divorced from executive functions;

(2) if he will take steps to ensure that successor bodies continue to use the computer systems of the Greater London council.

Mr. Waldegrave

The future of the GLC's computer services and their staff is a matter for the successor authorities, but we expect that the operation of general purpose computers will pass initially to the residuary body. My noble Friend Lord Elton has undertaken to bring forward an amendment to the Local Government Bill in another place providing for residuary bodies to take an active part in identifying and securing the future of worthwhile centres of expertise.