Jacqui Lait (Shadow Minister (London), Local Government Affairs & Communities; Beckenham, Conservative)

I beg to move amendment No. 60, in page 8, line 17, at end insert

'by order made by statutory instrument'.

David Amess (Southend West, Conservative)

With this it will be convenient to discuss amendment No. 61, in page 8, line 22, at end insert

'(3A) An order under subsection (3) may not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the order has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.'.

Jacqui Lait (Shadow Minister (London), Local Government Affairs & Communities; Beckenham, Conservative)

Again, I will be brief. The Minister might well say that if we require a statutory instrument, it will slow the whole process up. I accept that, but I want to explore the proper democratic control that there will be over the Secretary of State if he thinks that a local highway authority, a local traffic authority or a street authority has failed. If the decision is entirely his, what is Parliament's right in terms of agreeing or disagreeing with him? It would also be useful if the Minister would clarify whether we are talking about the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Secretary of State for Transport or the Deputy Prime Minister.

Richard Caborn (Minister of State (Sport), Department for Culture, Media & Sport; Sheffield Central, Labour)

On the question of the Secretary of State, they all act on behalf of the Government.

It will be possible to deliver the Olympic and Paralympic games and to implement the requirements of the Olympic transport plan only with the full co-operation of all the different transport authorities responsible for the particular areas. In preparing and revising the Olympic transport plan, it will be necessary for the ODA to consult those local highways authorities, local traffic authorities and street authorities likely to be affected by the implementation of the plan. Each of those authorities will therefore have been involved in its development and will be aware of the demands it would make on them. Therefore, they can plan in advance of its implementation.

We would intend to use only the powers of discretion in clause 10(3) where it is clear that a local highways authority, local traffic authority or street authority was refusing to co-operate and was therefore putting the plan in jeopardy. There may be instances when it will be necessary to direct an authority to implement particular parts of the plan quickly if the timetable for implementation is not to be put at risk.

The need to seek an affirmative resolution for the powers, as suggested by the amendments, would add significantly to the time needed before a direction could be made. The consequent delay could put implementation of parts of the plan at risk. Therefore, I ask the hon. Lady to withdraw the amendment. I would add that generally it would be the Secretary of State deemed appropriate that would have to deal with this matter.  

Jacqui Lait (Shadow Minister (London), Local Government Affairs & Communities; Beckenham, Conservative)

That answer rather suggests the question: how long is a piece of string? I will accept the Minister's reassurances and I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause 10 ordered to stand part of the Bill.