London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Bill

I think I shall be able to allay the fears of the noble Lord and those of his colleague, the noble Lord, Lord Dixon-Smith, on this matter. Of course RDAs are already able to engage in valuable preparatory work for the London Olympics under their existing regeneration powers, and the Bill does nothing to affect those powers in any way. The reason we have mentioned them in the Bill and in this specific aspect is that the new purpose in the Bill means that, if it proves necessary, they will also be able to buy land and build facilities that have an Olympic purpose only and provide no other lasting benefit. We do not think that the power is likely to be needed, but we have written it into the Bill on the principle of being prepared. We do not want to be left in the situation—