§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of 15 April, Official Report, column 336, if he will provide the latest evidence on which he bases his estimate of savings of £50 million annually arising from the abolition of the Greater London Council; and what means he is employing to monitor costs and savings following abolition.
§ Mr. TraceyThe estimate of savings of £50 million was made in 1984 and its basis was set out then. Apart from the estimates of initial redundancies referred to in my previous answer, manpower in the new structure will be monitored, in part through returns from boroughs to be required under section 56 of the Local Government Act 1985. Expenditure and rates will also be monitored, but these will be affected by many factors apart from the abolition of the GLC.