London Olympics Bill

I begin by echoing the comments that I made in this Chamber on 6 July when the Secretary of State was in Singapore. The congratulations of the whole House are due to my noble Friend Lord Coe for his inspirational leadership of the bid team and in securing the London 2012 bid. But congratulations are also due to all those involved in putting the bid together, including Ministers and officials in the DCMS, and the Prime Minister for his personal commitment to the bid. It is important that there is real support for the Olympics and Paralympics on both sides of the House. The intervention of the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) on behalf of the Scottish National party suggests that we have indeed obtained the support of all parts of the House.