To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what feasibility studies were carried out before hand on the extent to which successor authorities to the Inner London education authority would be able to run specialist and support services and employ special advisers in the event of abolition.

In putting forward their proposals, the Government took account of the fact that outer London and other metropolitan borough authorities maintain services such as those referred to by the hon. Member. Detailed discussions on such services will clarify any further work required to ensure continuity.