§ Mr. Leighasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what decisions he has reached, following his discussions with the Trades Union Congress, on the compensation arrangements for staff affected by the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils.
§ Mr. TraceyMy noble Friend the Minister of State has discussed staffing issues relating to the Local Government Act 1985 with the TUC local government committee, the AMA, and the London and Metropolitan Government Staff Commission. We have also received many responses and representations from other bodies and from many individuals on these matters.
In the light of the views we have received, we have now decided the package of measures which will apply to the staff affected by abolition. My noble Friend has today written to the TUC, enclosing a note summarising the main features of the package. I am arranging for copies of his letter and the note to be placed in the Library. My noble Friend has also written to the AMA and to the staff commission; and arrangements are being made to send copies of the announcement to all the authorities, associations, and unions concerned.
In the Government's view, this package represents a fair balance between, on the one side, the interests of the ratepayers in the metropolitan areas who will ultimately bear the costs, and, on the other, those of the staff concerned, who are faced with the disruption of their careers by the abolition of seven major employers. In making these decisions the Government has had strict regard to the unique circumstances of abolition.
The Government now look to all of those concerned to ensure that the staff involved are as fully and speedily informed as possible about where they stand under these new arrangements and we expect the expiring authorities, the borough and district councils and the unions, now to work together towards a smooth redeployment of staff into the reorganised structure of local government in the metropolitan areas.