REBIRTH OF GLC

That this House deplores Labour's plans to set up a new bureaucratic assembly in London; believes that such a policy would result in waste, red tape and political posturing; notes with dismay that Labour plan to give this body wide ranging powers, even including control of the Police; remembers that the old Greater London Council spent ú1 billion of rate payers money every year and kept a bloated staff of over 22,000 employees, yet was responsible for only 11 per cent of the capital's services; assumes that the new council would only be lean and hungry for more money and extra functions and would soon become fat and useless; recalls vividly the old Greater London Council failed to tackle more essential tasks such as drawing up a transport plan for London; recognises that the Labour Party in London has lost parliamentary seats at every election since 1979 and suffers continual embarrassment and humiliation at the hands of its own councillors; realises that Labour's plans for London are a blatant, but unsuccessful, attempt to hide the 'loony left' face of Labour in the capital; believes that Londoners need look no further than their nearest Labour council to understand what either a Labour government or a Labour-controlled Greater London Council would have to offer; notes that Labour controlled areas invariably have the filthiest street, the highest number of empty properties, the worst rent arrears and the poorest record on education; and therefore, finally, recommends that Labour should first put its own house in order.