HC Deb 21 October 1986 vol 102 cc833-6W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish all directions issued to the London Residuary Body under section 78 of the Local Government Act 1985 concerning the form of its statement of accounts for 1985–86; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he has formalised directions regarding the drawing up and presentation of the accounts of the London Residuary Body for 1985–86; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

A formal direction regarding the presentation of statements of accounts for 1985–86 was issued to all residuary bodies on 26 July. There is no legislative requirement for the Secretary of State to publish such directions, but I am placing copies in the Library for information.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total amount of borrowing requested by the London Residuary Body in 1986–87;

(2) what capital payments are the subject of a request for consent by the London Residuary Body in its letter of 8 July; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Mrs. Rumbold) on 25 July at column559.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have been held between his Department and the London Residuary Body concerning the non-payment by the London Residuary Body of pensions to a number of former Greater London Council staff in April; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

The London Residuary Body has kept my Department informed of progress on the payment of pensions.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether discussions have been held with his Department concerning procedures for approval of disposal of property by the London Residuary Body; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

My Department issued guidance on property rights and liabilities last August after consultation with interested parties.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an order under section 77 of the Local Government Act 1985 to direct the London Residuary Body to distribute all capital receipts to the London boroughs for the purposes of capital expenditure.

Mr. Chope

The Department is considering representations made in response to the revised draft order circulated for comment on 19 September 1986.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what items of expenditure by the London Residuary Body have been the subject of discussion with his Department since August 1985.

Mr. Chope

The Department has from time to time discussed with the LRB items of expenditure relevant to its functions under the Local Government Act 1985.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the matters which have formed the subject of informal advice by Ministers in his Department to the London Residuary Body in the course of discussions held since 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

Matters relevant to the LRB's functions under the Local Government Act 1985 are the subject of informal discussions between Ministers and the LRB from time to time.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a direction under section 65 of the Local Government Act 1985 to the London Residuary Body to require it to hold regular consultation with the London boroughs on matters of mutual concern.

Mr. Chope

No. The conduct of the day-to-day affairs of the London Residuary Body is a matter for it to decide. The London Residuary Body consults London boroughs as and when necessary.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place between his Department and the London Residuary Body concerning the shortfall in the income of the London Residuary Body between 1 April and 31 May; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

There have been no such discussions, and I am not aware of any such shortfall.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to lay before the House the annual report of the London Residuary Body; and if all the residuary bodies' reports will be laid together.

Mr. Chope

We expect that the annual reports of all the residuary bodies will be laid at the same time, early next Session.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has received the final formal submission of the accounts of the London Residuary Body for 1985–86 as required under section 78(5) of the Local Government Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

No.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements are being made for inspection of the London Residuary Body's accounts by London ratepayers.

Mr. Chope

This is a matter for the London Residuary Body.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 25 July, Official Report, column 559, and to correspondence from the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary dated 14 August, whether a response has now been sent to the London Residuary Body concerning its request for borrowing dated 8 July; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

The Department's officials have discussed the possible borrowing needs of the London Residuary Body with officers of the body on a number of occasions since 8 July. In the light of those discussions a direct response to the letter is not now appropriate.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply of 25 July, Official Report, column 559, what representations have been considered by his Department from interested parties in relation to borrowing by the London Residuary Body in 1986–87.

Mr. Chope

The Department has received no such representations, other than those from the London Residuary Body itself, about which I am answering other questions from the hon. Member today.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the hon. Member for Newham, North-West can expect a response from the chairman of the London Residuary Body to points raised in the debate on 23 May as promised in that debate and subsequently in letters from Ministers on 6 June and 6 August; and in the written answer of 25 July, Official Report, column 562.

Mr. Chope

I understand that the London Residuary Body will respond this week to the points raised.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply on 21 April, Official Report, column 65–6, if he is satisfied that right hon. and hon. Members are able to gain adequate information regarding the activities of the London Residuary Body; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

I am confident that the residuary bodies are providing information in response to all reasonable querries.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a breakdown of the moneys spent by the London Residuary Body on entertainment in respect of board members and employees in 1985–86; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

This is a matter for the London Residuary Body.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much has been spent by the London Residuary Body on salaries and expenses for board members since 31 March.

Mr. Chope

Board members' salaries are paid in accordance with their annual remuneration. Expenses are a matter for the London Residuary Body.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, pursuant to the reply of 25 July 1986, Official Report, column 561, any discussions were held between his Department and the London Residuary Body concerning the decision of the London Residuary Board to award special payments to employees; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member by my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Mrs. Rumbold) on 25 July at column561.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, pursuant to the reply dated 25 July, Official Report, column 560, he will publish the guidance issued to the London Residuary Body by his Department relating to financial rights and liabilities; and if he will make a statement;

(2) whether, pursuant to the reply dated 25 July, Official Report, column 560, he will publish guidance issued to the London Residuary Body concerning property rights and liabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

Consolidated guidance to residuary bodies on property and financial rights and liabilities was issued on 7 August. Copies were sent simultaneously to successors and to other interested parties. A copy has been placed in the House of Commons Library. A personal copy was sent to the hon. Member on 19 August.