HC Deb 08 November 1999 vol 337 cc718-9

Lords amendment: No. 124, after clause 65, to insert the following new clause—Power of Authority to promote or oppose Bills in Parliament—

.—(1) The Authority may—

  1. (a) promote a local Bill in Parliament for any purpose which is for the public benefit of the inhabitants of, or of any part of, Greater London; or
  2. (b) oppose any local Bill in Parliament which affects any such inhabitants.

(2) Section 70 of the Local Government Act 1972 (prohibition on promoting Bills for changing local government areas etc) shall have effect in relation to the Authority as it has effect in relation to a local authority.

(3) The functions conferred on the Authority by subsection (1) above shall be functions of the Authority which are exercisable by the Mayor acting on behalf of the Authority.

(4) The functions conferred on the Authority by subsection (1)(a) above are exercisable subject to, and in accordance with, the provisions of Schedule (Promotion of Bills in Parliament by the Authority) to this Act.

(5) Before exercising the functions conferred on the Authority by subsection (1)(b) above, the Mayor shall consult the Assembly.

(6) No payment shall be made by the Authority (whether acting by the Mayor, the Assembly or the Mayor and Assembly acting jointly) to the Mayor or an Assembly member for acting as counsel or agent in promoting or opposing a Bill under this section.

(7) A London borough council or the Common Council may contribute towards the expenses of the Authority in promoting a local Bill in Parliament.")

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 take Lords amendments Nos. 125, 126, 226, 227, 634, 704, 741 and 744.

Mr. Raynsford

The amendments provide the Greater London Authority, Transport for London and the London development agency with the power to promote local Bills, and Transport for London with the power to promote and oppose orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992.

The amendments ensure that any local legislation promoted by the GLA is subject to consultation and that, where it affects the exercise of statutory functions of one or more London local authorities, a consent regime is followed.

The amendments were the subject of careful consultation with representatives of local government in London and with the authorities in both Houses before they were tabled, and were warmly welcomed when they were introduced in another place. We subsequently amended them slightly to ensure consistency of terminology across the provisions.

Mr. Simon Hughes

The Liberal Democrats support the amendments. Have the Government legislated to give other development agencies or authorities in England the same Bill-promoting power?

Mr. Raynsford

I am not aware of such legislation, but I shall look into the matter and write to the hon. Gentleman. This power relates specifically to the provisions for London.

Lords amendment agreed to

Lords amendments Nos. 125 and 126 agreed to

Lords amendment No. 499 disagreed to

Government amendment in lieu of the Lords amendment agreed to

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