HC Deb 19 February 1991 vol 186 cc112-3W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his current estimate of the financial and staff savings arising from the abolition of the GLC; and when the figures were last assessed.

Mr. Key

It was estimated in 1987 that some 6,300 posts had been saved immediately following abolition of the GLC and the metropolitan county councils. The projected long-term annual savings were of some £100 million per annum resulting from staff reductions. Because of the difficulty in disaggregating data relating to functions inherited by successor authorities it is not practicable to produce revised estimates.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the functions and responsibilities currently undertaken by the City of London as a result of GLC abolition.

Mr. Key

Apart from those which fell to London boroughs and the City of London at GLC abolition, responsibilities which have since been transferred by the London residuary body to the City are those in relation to Hampstead Heath and ex-GLC and ex-LRB records.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of staff numbers in his Department involved in full or part-time work arising from responsibilities transferred from the GLC.

Mr. Key

No functions were transferred directly from the GLC to the Department of the Environment, but the Department has sponsorship responsibilities for certain bodies with functions arising wholly or partly from the abolition of the GLC. The equivalent of eight full-time staff are estimated to work on these matters.