GRANTS BY THE MAYOR FOR MUSEUMS, GALLERIES ETC.

HC Deb 08 November 1999 vol 337 c793

Lords amendment: No. 484, in page 159, line 18, leave out ("pay grants") and insert

("provide financial or other assistance")

Mr. Raynsford

I beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this it will be convenient to discuss Lords amendments Nos. 485 to 488.

Mr. Raynsford

The overall effect of the amendments is to ensure that the mayor may give both financial and non-financial assistance—subject to conditions—to cultural institutions and tourism in London. The Government consider that that provision improves the Bill. It gives the mayor full discretion to choose in what form to make assistance available, and with what limitations.

Again, I express my gratitude to the Opposition, who first suggested extending the power in respect of cultural institutions, and whose amendments had been accepted, in spirit, by Third Reading.

Lords amendment agreed to.

Lords amendments Nos. 485 to 488 agreed to.