HC Deb 17 March 1986 vol 94 cc73-5W
Mr. Fatchett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is yet in a position to say how many staff in his Department will be working wholly or partly on functions arising out of the Local Government Act 1985 and the implementation of the abolition of the metropolitan county councils and the Greater London council during the financial year 1986–87; what is the estimated cost for 1986–87; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tracey

Much of the Department's work on functions affected by the Local Government Act 1985 will be handled by staff within the appropriate policy areas and will not be separately identifiable. A reduced central capacity will be retained to co-ordinate the implementation of the Act, but it is too early to give estimates of the numbers of staff likely to be involved through 1986–87.

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many leaflets entitled the "New Structure of South Yorkshire Government from 1st April" have been produced; to whom they are to be distributed; and what is the total cost including the cost of preparation.

Mr. Tracey

My Department has produced and distributed to all households and business premises in south Yorkshire 500,000 copies of the leaflet "The New Structure of Goverment in South Yorkshire". The cost of printing was £8,387.

It is not possible to break down the costs of preparation and distribution as between the GLC and the metropolitan county areas. The total costs of preparation and distribution were £4,300 and £150,504, respectively.

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many leaflets entitled the "New Structure of West Yorkshire's Government from 1st April" have been produced; to whom they are to be distributed; and what is the total cost including the cost of preparation.

Mr. Tracey

My Department has produced and distributed to all households and business premises in west Yorkshire 800,000 copies of the leaflet "The New Structure of Government in West Yorkshire". The cost of printing was £8,711.

It is not possible to break down the costs of preparation and distribution as between the GLC and the metropolitan county areas. The total costs of preparation and distribution were £4,300 and £150,504 respectively.

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many leaflets entitled the "New Structure of Merseyside's Government from 1st April" have been produced; to whom they are to be distributed; and what is the total cost including the cost of preparation.

Mr. Tracey

My Department has produced and distributed to all households and business premises in Merseyside 600,000 copies of the leaflet "The New Structure of Government in Merseyside". The cost of printing was £7,270.

It is not possible to break down the costs of preparation and distribution as between the GLC and the metropolitan county areas. The total costs of preparation and distribution were £4,300 and £150,504 respectively.

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many leaflets entitled the "New Structure of West Midlands' Government from 1st April" have been produced; to whom they are to be distributed; and what is the total cost including the cost of preparation.

Mr. Tracey

My Department has produced and distributed to all households and business premises in the West Midlands 1,000,000 copies of the leaflet "The New Structure of Government in the West Midlands". The cost of printing was £10,034.

It is not possible to break down the costs of preparation and distribution as between the GLC and the metropolitan county areas. The total costs of preparation and distribution were £4,300 and £150,504 respectively.

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many leaflets entitled the "New Structure of Tyne and Wear's Government from 1st April" have been produced; to whom they are to be distributed; and what is the total cost including the cost of preparation.

Mr. Tracey

My Department has produced and distributed to all households and business premises in Tyne and Wear 500,000 copies of the leaflet "The New Structure of Government in Tyne and Wear". The cost of printing was £5,964.

It is not possible to break down the costs of preparation and distribution as between the GLC and the metropolitan county areas. The total costs of preparation and distribution were £4,300 and £150,504 respectively.

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many leaflets entitled the "New Structure of Greater Manchester's Government from 1st April" have been produced; to whom they are to be distributed; and what is the total cost including the cost of preparation.

Mr. Tracey

My Department has produced and distributed to all households and business premises in Greater Manchester 1,000,000 copies of the leaflet "The New Structure of Government in Greater Manchester". The cost of printing was £9,744.

It is not possible to break down the costs of preparation and distribution as between the GLC and the metropolitan county areas. The total costs of preparation and distribution were £4,300 and £150,504 respectively.

Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many leaflets entitled the "New Structure of London's Government from 1st April" have been produced; to whom they are to be distributed; and what is the total cost including the cost of preparation.

Mr. Tracey

My Department has produced and distributed to all households and business premises in the Greater London area 2,650,000 copies of the leaflet "The New Structure of London's Government". The cost of printing was £24,344.

It is not possible to break down the costs of preparation and distribution as between the GLC and the metropolitan county areas. The total costs of preparation and distribution were £4,300 and £150,504 respectively.