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London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Bill

We put in these powers for the RDAs just as a failsafe. If the ODA needed an RDA to buy some land in Weymouth for the games by compulsory purchase, the RDA could not do so under its existing powers and the Bill would make that possible. Frankly, that is close to being an emergency power. It would reflect the fact that the ODA had identified something which had not been planned for or foreseen or that something had gone wrong in the existing arrangements and the RDA needed to fill the gap. RDAs may use this new Olympic-specific power—that is what it is; that is why it is in the Bill—only at the ODA’s request. It is triggered by the ODA itself. We do not want RDAs all over the country acquiring land and carrying out work for the Olympics without the ODA being satisfied that it is needed for the games. The requirement that the ODA gives its consent to RDAs wanting to use that Olympic-specific power will ensure that the ODA is able to co-ordinate properly all Olympic-specific activity between now and 2012. Where RDAs outside London are involved with preparation for the Olympics, they will need to consult and work with local authorities. They cannot do any of their existing work without such co-ordination with local planning authorities for planning permission. We do not really think that we need to specify co-operation as a requirement in the Bill. The issues of co-operation and the effectiveness of RDAs are not Olympics points but are part and parcel of the general way in which they are obliged to work. The Bill does nothing to change the relationship between RDAs and local authorities but gives an Olympic-specific power in circumstances where that might be necessary. I hope that the noble Lord is satisfied with that response.