§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimated value of the services that will be provided to the London Residuary Body from April 1986 until April 1987 for which his Department receives no money:
(2) what is estimated 10 be the total cost to the Exchequer of providing goods and services to the London Residuary Body from April 1986 to April 1987.
§ Mr. TraceyThe Department has provided office furniture on free loan until the end of April 1986. The cost of this loan cannot be quantified. The Property Services Agency provides office accommodation at St. Vincent house, for which the LRB will pay a net rental of £85,000 in 1986–87.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much has been allowed in the budget of the London Residuary Body for consultants' fees associated with the disposal of county hall;
(2) how much has been spent on consultants' fees by the London Residuary Body since its creation; and how many consultants were involved;
(3) what proposals are currently being considered by the London Residuary Body for the removal of Greater London council insignia from buildings, vehicles and publications;
(4) how many staff have given notice of their intention to terminate employment with the London Residuary Body since 1 April;
(5) what arrangements are being made by the London Residuary Body to keep entrances and car parks at county hall free from rubbish and fly-tipping;
(6) how much has been spent by the London Residuary Body in removing the insignia of the Greater London council from county hall; what has been removed; and where the items removed are now located.
§ Mr. TraceyThese are matters for the London Residuary Body.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what means members of the public may gain information regarding decisions of the London Residuary Body.
§ Mr. TraceySubject to statutory requirements, including those governing public access to their annual 209W reports and accounts, it is a matter for residuary bodies to decide the information they make available to members of the public.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what instruction or advice he has issued to the chairman of the London Residuary Body regarding statements by the chairman of a party political nature.
§ Mr. TraceyNone.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what means decisions of the London Residuary Body are conveyed to his Department.
§ Mr. TraceyThe Department is in regular contact with the London Residuary Body about the discharge of its functions.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what directions he has given to the London Residuary Body since 1 April.
§ Mr. TraceyNone.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has given any instructions to the London Residuary Body regarding the future of county hall; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TraceyNo such instructions have been given.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will instruct the London Residuary Body that no proposals for the disposal of county hall will be accepted if demolition of part or whole of the building is involved.
§ Mr. TraceyNo.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to appoint further members to the London Residuary Body.
§ Mr. TraceyMy right hon. Friend has no plans at present to make any further appointments to the London Residuary Body.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment who is responsible for auditing the accounts of the London Residuary Body; and if the accounts will be laid before Parliament.
§ Mr. TraceyBy virtue of section 79 of the Local Government Act 1985 the accounts of each residuary body are required to be audited in accordance with part III of the Local Government Finance Act 1982, that is, by auditors appointed by the Audit Commission. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is required to lay the statement of accounts and any auditor's report before Parliament.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what means he intends Parliament to be in a position to scrutinise the affairs of the London Residuary Body.
§ Mr. TraceyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will lay before Parliament the annual report and statement of accounts of each residuary body.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if minutes of the London Residuary Body will be made available to Members in the Library.
§ Mr. TraceyThe availability of its minutes is a matter for the London Residuary Body to decide.