asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times his Department has used the Greater London council research library's Acompline on-line database; and what arrrangements will be made to ensure that its users continue to receive this service in the event of the Greater London council's abolition.

[pursuant to his reply, 31 January 1985, c 281]: The joint library of the Departments of the Environment and of Transport used the Acompline on-line database 97 times during 1983 and 1984. No decision has yet been reached on the future of the Greater London research library and the services it provides. A more forthcoming attitude by the GLC towards discussing the implications of the Government's abolition proposals would greatly help to reduce uncertainty in this and other areas.