I have two or three points for the Minister. I am very pleased that she said they are voluntary and will not be imposed. We note that and will underline it lots of times in Hansard. Will MMAs be able to set their own targets? As the Minister knows, because...

I have two or three points for the Minister. I am very pleased that she said they are voluntary and will not be imposed. We note that and will underline it lots of times in Hansard. Will MMAs be able to set their own targets? As the Minister knows, because...

I have three amendments in this group, two of which are probing. They are all along similar lines to those of the noble Lord, Lord Tope. The Minister might be surprised that there were only three amendments, and I hope that she will be relieved when I explain that we...

I have three amendments in this group, two of which are probing. They are all along similar lines to those of the noble Lord, Lord Tope. The Minister might be surprised that there were only three amendments, and I hope that she will be relieved when I explain that we...

Another point came up during the passage of the transport Bill. I approve of Integrated Transport Authorities, and the Government agreed that they should be composed mainly of elected members, but we would be totally against having road charging imposed upon a county that did not want it. If counties...

Another point came up during the passage of the transport Bill. I approve of Integrated Transport Authorities, and the Government agreed that they should be composed mainly of elected members, but we would be totally against having road charging imposed upon a county that did not want it. If counties...

I am dealing with Clause 99 with Amendment 197A, which deletes a number of paragraphs from Schedule 6, because I wish to raise a number of specific transport issues. I seek some answers from the Minister. I am leader of Essex County Council, and I am the transport spokesman for...

I am dealing with Clause 99 with Amendment 197A, which deletes a number of paragraphs from Schedule 6, because I wish to raise a number of specific transport issues. I seek some answers from the Minister. I am leader of Essex County Council, and I am the transport spokesman for...

It is not quite in London, but it is more related to London than it is to Norfolk. I am sorry; that is a diversion. The Minister said that she would outline in writing to me some of the fears that I expressed in the original amendment. I accept her...

It is not quite in London, but it is more related to London than it is to Norfolk. I am sorry; that is a diversion. The Minister said that she would outline in writing to me some of the fears that I expressed in the original amendment. I accept her...

Both the Minister and the noble Lord, Lord Smith of Leigh, made the argument for why Essex should not be in the eastern region: the travel-to-work patterns and so on relate to London and the south-east, not to Norfolk. That is another point, and I will take note of it.

Both the Minister and the noble Lord, Lord Smith of Leigh, made the argument for why Essex should not be in the eastern region: the travel-to-work patterns and so on relate to London and the south-east, not to Norfolk. That is another point, and I will take note of it.

I repeat what I said last time. We need to take note of the noble Baroness’s answers on this group of amendments and look at our position for the future. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

I repeat what I said last time. We need to take note of the noble Baroness’s answers on this group of amendments and look at our position for the future. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

moved Amendment No. 225ZD: 225ZD: Clause 131, page 89, line 5, insert— ““(1A) Where an authority has the power to introduce and enforce byelaws under section 236A of the Local Government Act 1972, it shall be exempt from this section.”” The noble Lord said: This amendment would ensure that the...

moved Amendment No. 225ZD: 225ZD: Clause 131, page 89, line 5, insert— ““(1A) Where an authority has the power to introduce and enforce byelaws under section 236A of the Local Government Act 1972, it shall be exempt from this section.”” The noble Lord said: This amendment would ensure that the...

moved Amendment No. 225ZC: 225ZC: After Clause 130, insert the following new Clause— ““Timetable for implementation Not later than three months after the passing of this Act the Secretary of State shall publicise when he proposes to make regulations under section 236A of the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)...

moved Amendment No. 225ZC: 225ZC: After Clause 130, insert the following new Clause— ““Timetable for implementation Not later than three months after the passing of this Act the Secretary of State shall publicise when he proposes to make regulations under section 236A of the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)...

I thank the Minister for her response. I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Greaves, that it confirms our worst fears. One hoped that there would be something real in this, but there is still a lot of uncertainty about it. My noble friend is tempting me to divide the...

I thank the Minister for her response. I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Greaves, that it confirms our worst fears. One hoped that there would be something real in this, but there is still a lot of uncertainty about it. My noble friend is tempting me to divide the...

moved Amendment No. 225ZA: 225ZA: Clause 130, page 88, leave out lines 16 and 17 The noble Lord said: This amendment is designed simply to probe the classes of by-laws to which the Secretary of State might choose not to apply the new autonomy provisions of Clause 130. The Secretary...

moved Amendment No. 225ZA: 225ZA: Clause 130, page 88, leave out lines 16 and 17 The noble Lord said: This amendment is designed simply to probe the classes of by-laws to which the Secretary of State might choose not to apply the new autonomy provisions of Clause 130. The Secretary...

I thank the Minister for her answer, which was a little more helpful than some previous answers. If I understood her correctly—perhaps she will correct me if I am wrong—local authorities could move money around. I thought that that was what she was suggesting. So they would not be as...

I thank the Minister for her answer, which was a little more helpful than some previous answers. If I understood her correctly—perhaps she will correct me if I am wrong—local authorities could move money around. I thought that that was what she was suggesting. So they would not be as...

moved Amendment No. 225ZE: 225ZE: Clause 131, page 91, line 4, at end insert— ““(1A) But nothing in this section prevents a local authority from using its fixed penalty receipts for another purpose, where it would not be expedient to use the total fixed penalty receipts for the purposes of...

moved Amendment No. 225ZE: 225ZE: Clause 131, page 91, line 4, at end insert— ““(1A) But nothing in this section prevents a local authority from using its fixed penalty receipts for another purpose, where it would not be expedient to use the total fixed penalty receipts for the purposes of...

Again, I thank the noble Baroness for her answer. This series of amendments seeks to clarify the situation on by-laws. We will have to reflect on the whole series after the Committee stage. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 131 [Fixed penalties for breach...

Again, I thank the noble Baroness for her answer. This series of amendments seeks to clarify the situation on by-laws. We will have to reflect on the whole series after the Committee stage. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 131 [Fixed penalties for breach...

My Lords, I am grateful for this opportunity to speak at the end of this stimulating and wide-ranging debate. I, too, commiserate with the noble Baroness, Lady Andrews. I think she has given her throat infection to me and I may start coughing during my speech. We know how she...

My Lords, I am grateful for this opportunity to speak at the end of this stimulating and wide-ranging debate. I, too, commiserate with the noble Baroness, Lady Andrews. I think she has given her throat infection to me and I may start coughing during my speech. We know how she...

Yes.

Yes.

A democratic body would ensure that enough money was available for the scrutiny function, but if I, as leader of Essex County Council, wanted to thwart that, I could. Here, we are suggesting that the Mayor might have the power to thwart the functioning of the Assembly, and we want...

A democratic body would ensure that enough money was available for the scrutiny function, but if I, as leader of Essex County Council, wanted to thwart that, I could. Here, we are suggesting that the Mayor might have the power to thwart the functioning of the Assembly, and we want...

It will not surprise the Committee to hear that we, too, support the amendment. Schedule 6 to the 1999 Act begins: "““It shall be the duty of the Mayor and the Assembly … to prepare and approve for each financial year … a consolidated budget for the Authority””." As the...

It will not surprise the Committee to hear that we, too, support the amendment. Schedule 6 to the 1999 Act begins: "““It shall be the duty of the Mayor and the Assembly … to prepare and approve for each financial year … a consolidated budget for the Authority””." As the...

I wish to clarify that the Assembly does not have the option to reject the first draft.

I wish to clarify that the Assembly does not have the option to reject the first draft.

I am not as familiar with the workings of the GLA as I am with those of Essex County Council. The noble Baroness said that the first draft must be passed by the Assembly. What if it does not pass the first draft? She said that it has to pass...

I am not as familiar with the workings of the GLA as I am with those of Essex County Council. The noble Baroness said that the first draft must be passed by the Assembly. What if it does not pass the first draft? She said that it has to pass...