Greater London Authority Bill

moved Amendment No. 57: 57: Clause 22, page 24, leave out lines 5 to 7 The noble Baroness said: Proposed newSection 309G would require the Mayor to have regard to guidance from the Secretary of State as to matters he should take into account in preparing or advising the health inequalities strategy. The amendment would delete that provision, largely with the intention of probing exactly what it is expected the Secretary of State's guidance might say. The Bill appears to be moving dangerously in the direction of government interference. Initially, it gives the Mayor the power to direct a citywide strategy. Then it places a senior civil servant within the department in a position of influence, and now we face the prospect of the Mayor having to ““take into account”” the guidance of the Secretary of State. I think that I can hear the Minister's reply, but I beg to move.