I understood that you could intervene at any stage, with the permission of the Member who is speaking.

I understood that you could intervene at any stage, with the permission of the Member who is speaking.

If I recall, the date of elections in London—admittedly, they were parliamentary elections—was changed because of foot and mouth disease, which I do not think most Londoners would regard as a major event. I appreciate that it was regarded as a major event in the countryside but, for most Londoners,...

If I recall, the date of elections in London—admittedly, they were parliamentary elections—was changed because of foot and mouth disease, which I do not think most Londoners would regard as a major event. I appreciate that it was regarded as a major event in the countryside but, for most Londoners,...

We are told that these amendments amount to a veto or blocking power because of the strength of the term ““have regard to””. Next week, we will talk about the hierarchy of ““have regard to””, ““be in general conformity with”” and ““be in strict conformity with””. If those words amount...

We are told that these amendments amount to a veto or blocking power because of the strength of the term ““have regard to””. Next week, we will talk about the hierarchy of ““have regard to””, ““be in general conformity with”” and ““be in strict conformity with””. If those words amount...

This is a very interesting proposal. I was a member of the GLC when the elections were deferred last time, and I am not sure that it did not create a lot of confusion. If it is a question of altering the date, perhaps it should be earlier rather than...

This is a very interesting proposal. I was a member of the GLC when the elections were deferred last time, and I am not sure that it did not create a lot of confusion. If it is a question of altering the date, perhaps it should be earlier rather than...

moved Amendment No. 39: 39: After Clause 16, insert the following new Clause— ““Ordinary elections Ordinary elections (1) Section 3 of the GLA 1999 Act (ordinary elections) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (2) at the end insert ““, except that the poll due to be held on 3rd...

moved Amendment No. 39: 39: After Clause 16, insert the following new Clause— ““Ordinary elections Ordinary elections (1) Section 3 of the GLA 1999 Act (ordinary elections) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (2) at the end insert ““, except that the poll due to be held on 3rd...

This is a very interesting proposal. In fact, it is so interesting that I think it was raised—and, at one stage, had a degree of government support—when it was first proposed that London should bid for the Olympics. It was recognised that the potential disruptive effect of a mayoral election...

This is a very interesting proposal. In fact, it is so interesting that I think it was raised—and, at one stage, had a degree of government support—when it was first proposed that London should bid for the Olympics. It was recognised that the potential disruptive effect of a mayoral election...

As usual, I am very grateful to my noble friend for picking up the most important point of the argument. It shows that this is, once again, a variation on the debate about the balance of power between the Mayor and the Assembly and the threat that it poses to...

As usual, I am very grateful to my noble friend for picking up the most important point of the argument. It shows that this is, once again, a variation on the debate about the balance of power between the Mayor and the Assembly and the threat that it poses to...

I do not think that I can, but I am not sure that I am required to. As I said on the last group of amendments, our job here is to think through the ““what ifs?””, not to start from the point that the Assembly would be utterly difficult or...

I do not think that I can, but I am not sure that I am required to. As I said on the last group of amendments, our job here is to think through the ““what ifs?””, not to start from the point that the Assembly would be utterly difficult or...

Internal democratic processes would enable coalitions to make a difference and allow the Assembly to get its way against the Mayor rather than external democratic processes.

Internal democratic processes would enable coalitions to make a difference and allow the Assembly to get its way against the Mayor rather than external democratic processes.

The noble Baroness was surprised at the proposition in the Bill that the draft component budgets could be amended. On two occasions she said that that was news to her. That would be an immeasurable power in discussions over scrutiny budgets. I would have thought that her group and the...

The noble Baroness was surprised at the proposition in the Bill that the draft component budgets could be amended. On two occasions she said that that was news to her. That would be an immeasurable power in discussions over scrutiny budgets. I would have thought that her group and the...

This has been a lively debate. I will not follow the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, through the detailed way in which she presented her arguments. It is probably better that I do what I was invited to do by the noble Lord, Lord Hanningfield, and address some simple political realities....

This has been a lively debate. I will not follow the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, through the detailed way in which she presented her arguments. It is probably better that I do what I was invited to do by the noble Lord, Lord Hanningfield, and address some simple political realities....

At Second Reading I referred to these clauses as being as complicated as a Fair Isle knitting pattern. I apologise to noble Lords that I have not made the process more like a stocking stitch. The noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, asked why, if there was no budgetary floor in Essex...

At Second Reading I referred to these clauses as being as complicated as a Fair Isle knitting pattern. I apologise to noble Lords that I have not made the process more like a stocking stitch. The noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, asked why, if there was no budgetary floor in Essex...

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...

I listened carefully to what the Minister said. Is the over-riding consideration that the Government simply do not want civil servants to be required to attend the Assembly, irrespective of the merits of this case? If it is, then we have to go back to the essential principle behind it....

I listened carefully to what the Minister said. Is the over-riding consideration that the Government simply do not want civil servants to be required to attend the Assembly, irrespective of the merits of this case? If it is, then we have to go back to the essential principle behind it....

moved Amendment No. 42: 42: Clause 21, page 19, line 20, at end insert— ““( ) In section 61 of the GLA Act 1999 (power to require attendance at Assembly meetings), after subsection (2)(a) insert— ““(aa) the Health Adviser and any Deputy Health Adviser,””.”” The noble Baroness said: I hope...

moved Amendment No. 42: 42: Clause 21, page 19, line 20, at end insert— ““( ) In section 61 of the GLA Act 1999 (power to require attendance at Assembly meetings), after subsection (2)(a) insert— ““(aa) the Health Adviser and any Deputy Health Adviser,””.”” The noble Baroness said: I hope...

Can the Minister help me? Do the Government not actually support taking the matter forward? If they do—they seem to from the tone of the Minister’s remarks—would it not be much more straightforward and save a lot of time, effort and money to clarify the legal issues in the Bill?

Can the Minister help me? Do the Government not actually support taking the matter forward? If they do—they seem to from the tone of the Minister’s remarks—would it not be much more straightforward and save a lot of time, effort and money to clarify the legal issues in the Bill?

That is an interesting question. I have tried to be clear, although I may not have been clear enough. The Government welcome the fact that TfL is trying to take this forward, but it is a matter for TfL. We welcome the fact that TfL is discussing a voluntary scheme...

That is an interesting question. I have tried to be clear, although I may not have been clear enough. The Government welcome the fact that TfL is trying to take this forward, but it is a matter for TfL. We welcome the fact that TfL is discussing a voluntary scheme...

Far be it for me to challenge the Clerks, but I am concerned that a Bill in which the Long Title includes the words, "““to make further provision with respect to the functional bodies””," such as Transport for London, rules out such an issue. It also makes provision for the...

Far be it for me to challenge the Clerks, but I am concerned that a Bill in which the Long Title includes the words, "““to make further provision with respect to the functional bodies””," such as Transport for London, rules out such an issue. It also makes provision for the...

I, too, support the amendment. I declare a slight interest in that I live in Westminster. I have heard from councillors that there is also concern that pedicabs park on the footpath outside theatres and similar places. If there was a fire and people were trying to get out, they...

I, too, support the amendment. I declare a slight interest in that I live in Westminster. I have heard from councillors that there is also concern that pedicabs park on the footpath outside theatres and similar places. If there was a fire and people were trying to get out, they...