PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

Early day motion 128, tabled 17 June 1997 by Andrew Dismore (Labour). Signed by 101 members.

That this House unreservedly condemns the role of the Conservative Party under Dame Shirley Porter and her successors in the many scandals revealed so far involving Westminster City Council, including the sale of the cemeteries for 15p, the placing of homeless families in asbestos-ridden towerblocks, and the 'homes for votes' gerrymandering of local elections; notes the failure of successive Conservative governments to take action against Westminster Council or condemn its wrongdoings; notes that many issues remain to be investigated, including the abuse of environment and planning policies for Conservative party electoral advantage; notes that the statutory powers of the Local Government Ombudsman and appointed auditor are inadequate to get to the bottom of the story timeously or at all; and calls on the Secretary of State for the Environment to institute a public inquiry into the running of Westminster City Council by the Conservatives under Dame Shirley Porter and her successors to establish the truth and the full extent of what happended in Westminster, to return to the people of Westminster their rights, and to recover the ú100 million of missing public money misapplied for party advantage by the Westminster Conservative Group.

Signatures by party: Labour 92, Labour/Co-operative 6, Liberal Democrat 2, Unknown 1.