London Olympics Bill

I join the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid-Kent (Hugh Robertson) in thanking the Minister and his civil servants for the very helpful briefings that we have had in preparation for the moving of these and other amendments. I also thank the Minister and the hon. Gentleman for the close co-operation that there has been in relation to almost all aspects of the Bill, which means that there will be a fairly uncontroversial passage of much of what is to be debated this evening. However, the debate is an opportunity to raise remaining questions with the Minister. In view of the fact that a number of the powers of the GLA will be passed on to other bodies if the new clause and new schedule are agreed, will the Minister answer some further questions, in addition to those asked by the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid-Kent? First, I seek the right hon. Gentleman’s assurance that the GLA will be one of the organisations that are to be consulted on the Olympic transport plan, which is the subject of clause 9. Secondly, will the GLA be able to summons the ODA to public evidence sessions? What assurance can the Minister give that the GLA will be able to use section 61 of the Greater London Authority Act to summon the ODA in the way that I described? Finally, can the Minister provide an assurance that LOCOG—the London organising committee of the Olympic games—the other body being established by the Bill, will also have to comply with any reasonable request to appear before the assembly and to update the assembly on progress? With those assurances from the Minister, I can confirm that my party, too, is willing to support the amendments.