asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the working of the residuary bodies; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The seven residuary bodies are making satisfactory progress towards their own wind-up for which the legislation sets a period of five years from 1 April 1986. In practice, I expect that some of the bodies will have completed their task of disposing of or transferring their inherited functions, property, rights and liabilities well before the end of the period. I have regular meetings with the chairmen of the residuary bodies, the most recent of which took place yesterday.