§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many transactions have taken place between residuary bodies and local authorities, where assets previously owned by those local authorities have been purchased, in order for those successor authorities to carry out their functions; and what is the value of these transactions.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryResiduary body property required by local authorities for the purpose of carrying out their functions is transferred to them at nil cost by statutory order. There have been 25 orders transferring residuary body property since 1986. Authorities can also purchase surplus residuary body property at market value. Information on the number and total value of properties acquired by local authorities is not centrally available.