London Olympics Bill

Each case is considered on its own merits, but relocation costs, new stock and loss of profits can be included. All that will be determined by the Lands Tribunal—this is where the independent tribunal comes in—under the Land Compensation Act 1961. There is independent arbitration and the facility to take into account losses beyond just the land price. If that is operated correctly, the questions raised by the hon. Gentleman should be answered. In relation to the concern raised by the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid-Kent (Hugh Robertson), all agents have guidelines for dealing with conflicts of interest, and all such procedures are fully regulated by the appropriate professional body. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has its code of conduct, and members of the RICS who are in breach of that could face expulsion. In light of the Adjournment debate that took place in Westminster Hall, I am writing to the LDA to draw its attention to that position. If there has been any such occurrence, I do not believe that it has been intentional. I reiterate that the Lands Tribunal is the mechanism for the type of arbitration to which the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) was referring. I genuinely hope that I have been able to answer the questions put on the record. Overall, the LDA has done a reasonable job in difficult circumstances. It had to respond post-6 July, and it has done that very well. We have put tremendous pressure on it, and I think that its approach to underground cabling and other issues will pay immense dividends in the medium to long term. While, on the one hand, it might not have answered a few telephone calls—I understand the frustration arising from that—on the other, I hope that when we get this Bill on to the statute book and the ODA takes over we can start working in a slightly more effective and efficient manner than has probably been the case previously.