§ 13. Mr. OttawayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for which areas of current local government the strategic authority for London would have responsibility. [9360]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe have today published a Green Paper setting out our proposals for a Greater London authority, which lists the range of functions the Greater London authority will have and considers how they can be delivered effectively. Copies of the Green Paper are available in the House Libraries.
§ 16. Mr. MerchantTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the costs of establishing and running a strategic authority for London. [9363]
§ Mr. RaynsfordOur Green Paper, published today, sets out proposals and seeks views on a range of options for the nature and functions of the new strategic authority for London. It is not possible to make firm estimates of the cost of establishing and running the authority until we are clearer, following this consultation, on the final form that the new arrangements will take. Our overriding objective is that the new strategic authority should improve the efficiency with which pan-London activities are carried out. We intend that any additional spending on setting up the new authority will be offset by longer-term savings.