Greater London Authority

HC Deb 20 October 1999 vol 336 c591W

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further steps he is taking to prepare for the Greater London Authority. [95212]

Mr. Hill

My predecessor, my hon. Friend the Minister for London and Construction, announced on 11 June 1999,Official Report, columns 398-99, that my Department had earmarked provision over the four years 1998–99 to 2001–02 to meet GLA preparation costs and that separate provision was being made to cover the costs of the first elections to the GLA, including publicity, and for establishing Transport for London and the London Development Agency. My Department has now earmarked £20.6 million from within existing budgets to cover these costs.