---

Greater London Authority Bill

The noble Lord raises an important point. Transport for London involves matters that come close to the responsibility of the boroughs, so it is different, in that sense, from the other functional bodies. The more localised things that TfL does can be quite contentious and can give rise to a good deal of correspondence. We might be about to hear an answer that the Mayor, having the broad ability to appoint members of the board of TfL, can bring in experts. Excluding them from membership of the board does not mean excluding their expertise. It has struck me from observing TfL that many of the undoubtedly experts on the board have almost been acting more as consultants than board members. They have contributed a great deal but not necessarily as envisaged. The noble Lord said that he would speak to the Question on whether the Clause 18 shall stand part. I am not sure whether he did, but, as I do not anticipate that this amendment will meet with favour, I would not like to see Clause 18 disappear from the Bill.