§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange to repeal the legislation which prohibits local authorities from contributing directly to appeal funds to relieve overseas disasters.
§ Mr. Key[holding answer 10 May 1991]: Local authorities have only the powers that have been given to them by, or under, an Act of Parliament. Parliament has never given to them a power to contribute directly to an appeal fund which is solely for the relief of disasters outside the United Kingdom. There is, therefore, no legislative prohibition to repeal.