§ 36. Mr. McNultyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made with preparations for the London Mayor and Assembly. [89511]
§ Mr. RaynsfordGood progress is being made. We have announced that, subject to Parliamentary approval of the Greater London Authority Bill, the elections for the Mayor and Assembly will take place on 4 May 2000, and the GLA and functional bodies will assume their full responsibilities on 3 July 2000. In the meantime the Bill should shortly complete its Committee stage in another place; proposals for both temporary accommodation (Romney House, Westminster) and permanent accommodation (at London Bridge City, Southwark) have been announced; and Dr. Robert Chilton has been appointed, on secondment, from the Audit commission to head the work on the transition to the GLA.