§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the(a) transitional and (b) future costs of the London Mayor and Assembly; and what savings or additional costs will be incurred in comparison with the cost of quangos and central Government responsibilities the London Mayor and Assembly will be replacing. [40858]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe have estimated that the Government may need to spent up to £20 million on preparing for the GLA. We have also estimated that the Mayor and Assembly and new central GLA services would cost around £20 million a year. We expect this cost to be offset over time through savings in the Government Office for London, other Government Departments, and the London Boroughs from eliminating wasteful duplication and conflicting activities across London, and efficiencies within the GLA and the bodies and authorities which will come within its remit.