London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Bill

Let us be careful about the issues of responsibility. I indicated that the chair of the ODA is the chair of a non-governmental public body and is ultimately responsible to the Secretary of State and to Parliament for expenditures. But there is another line of accountability. The Olympic board is responsible to the International Olympic Committee for the conduct of the games. The Mayor is there because he is the Mayor of the host city, London. The chair of the British Olympic Association is there because he is chair of the host body for the Olympic movement. The LOGOC chair is there because he is responsible for the organisation committee of the London Olympic Games. The Secretary of State is there because she is also a joint signatory to the underwriting bid. That body of four is answerable to the International Olympic Committee. We are saying that for functional reasons, of course the chair of the ODA attending meetings will be regarded in every respect as a full participant member of the board. It is inconceivable that a great deal of the work of the Olympic board at its meetings would not consist of such a crucial report. But that body is not designated in terms of any responsibility to the International Olympic Committee. The other members on the Olympic board are. That is why they are in that particular relationship.