HC Deb 24 March 1999 vol 328 cc251-2W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those organisations referred to in the White Paper, "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (Cm 3897), for which it was planned to transfer responsibility to the Greater London Authority but for which provision has not been made in the Greater London Authority Bill; and if he will make a statement. [78479]

Mr. Raynsford

The organisations referred to in the White Paper for which it was planned to transfer responsibility to the Greater London Authority but for which provision has not been made in the Greater London Authority Bill are listed as follows:

  • Centre for Young Musicians
  • Croydon Tramlink
  • Docklands Light Railway
  • London Heritage Forum
  • London Pension Fund Authority
  • Woolwich Ferry.

I last week tabled amendments to Part X of the Bill, providing for the establishment of a Cultural Strategy Group for London to replace the London Heritage Forum. We intend to bring forward amendments at a later stage to provide for the GLA taking on responsibility for the LPFA. It is our intention that responsibility for the Docklands Light Railway, Croydon Tramlink and the Woolwich Ferry should transfer to Transport for London, and are considering whether specific provisions are needed in the Bill to provide for this.

In addition, the White Paper raised the question of future responsibility for some London museums currently directly funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and some of the historic properties now managed by English Heritage that were previously the responsibility of the GLC. The White Paper also considered future arrangements for the Theatre Museum and the Museum of Childhood. Following the conclusion of his departmental CSR, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has concluded that there should be no change at the present time to the funding arrangements for these bodies, but that the GLA's role in funding the museums should be reviewed in due course. I last week tabled amendments to enable the GLA to provide funding to cultural institutions, including museums, galleries and libraries.

I am discussing the future funding of the CYM—and possible arrangements for the transfer of that funding to the GLA—with my colleagues at the Department for Education and Employment and we will make an announcement as soon as possible. Specific provision is not required in the GLA Bill to achieve any transfer.