I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the work that she did to secure the success of the Olympic bid, but in terms of being able to spread the benefits of the Olympics around the country, can she also give consideration to the fact that, if contracts are going to...

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the work that she did to secure the success of the Olympic bid, but in terms of being able to spread the benefits of the Olympics around the country, can she also give consideration to the fact that, if contracts are going to...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right and it is for that reason that we have on the face of the Bill given regional development authorities a responsibility in this respect, which would by implication extend not just to bidding for contracts but to seeking to maximise the tourism benefits of...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right and it is for that reason that we have on the face of the Bill given regional development authorities a responsibility in this respect, which would by implication extend not just to bidding for contracts but to seeking to maximise the tourism benefits of...

In addition to the role of the regional development agencies, which I have outlined, the nations and regions committee that was established by the bid team will continue to underpin the efforts to secure the maximum UK-wide benefit of preparation camps and the other potential opportunities that I have outlined,...

In addition to the role of the regional development agencies, which I have outlined, the nations and regions committee that was established by the bid team will continue to underpin the efforts to secure the maximum UK-wide benefit of preparation camps and the other potential opportunities that I have outlined,...

Will my right hon. Friend give way?

Will my right hon. Friend give way?

Northampton is in the middle of one of the Government’s growth areas and therefore well placed to help with the regeneration process. Will my right hon. Friend ensure that towns that might want to provide training facilities, provide support for teams or provide premises for different sports will be able...

Northampton is in the middle of one of the Government’s growth areas and therefore well placed to help with the regeneration process. Will my right hon. Friend ensure that towns that might want to provide training facilities, provide support for teams or provide premises for different sports will be able...

No. The importance of the ODA to the Olympic project is evident—a single body with a clear task, accountable to Parliament. The ODA will be a time-limited body, focused on delivering the London games, and clause 7 therefore provides for the Secretary of State, having consulted the Mayor, to lay...

No. The importance of the ODA to the Olympic project is evident—a single body with a clear task, accountable to Parliament. The ODA will be a time-limited body, focused on delivering the London games, and clause 7 therefore provides for the Secretary of State, having consulted the Mayor, to lay...

Please give way.

Please give way.

No; I am going to make some progress. The Olympic delivery authority will be the planning authority for the Olympic park. As I said, to ensure propriety, planning decisions will be taken by a discrete planning committee.

No; I am going to make some progress. The Olympic delivery authority will be the planning authority for the Olympic park. As I said, to ensure propriety, planning decisions will be taken by a discrete planning committee.

Before the Secretary of State moves on, will she give way?

Before the Secretary of State moves on, will she give way?

I think, with respect, that the hon. Lady is confusing two things. The LDA is negotiating relocation with up to some 350 businesses and I do not wish to be drawn on detailed negotiations of a contractual nature. The LDA is the proper body to negotiate with those business and...

I think, with respect, that the hon. Lady is confusing two things. The LDA is negotiating relocation with up to some 350 businesses and I do not wish to be drawn on detailed negotiations of a contractual nature. The LDA is the proper body to negotiate with those business and...

I will give way on planning.

I will give way on planning.

I am most grateful to the right hon. Lady because this could reduce the length of my speech. Under clause 4, which refers to the ODA’s planning powers, she herself said in her earlier comments that the LDA is in negotiation with roughly 350 businesses at present, but under the...

I am most grateful to the right hon. Lady because this could reduce the length of my speech. Under clause 4, which refers to the ODA’s planning powers, she herself said in her earlier comments that the LDA is in negotiation with roughly 350 businesses at present, but under the...

Will the Secretary of State give way?

Will the Secretary of State give way?

I shall move on to reaffirm and underline the importance of the points made by a number of hon. Members in interventions about the benefits that we hope will extend to the whole United Kingdom. In clause 34, regional development agencies are given a new purpose—to prepare for the London...

I shall move on to reaffirm and underline the importance of the points made by a number of hon. Members in interventions about the benefits that we hope will extend to the whole United Kingdom. In clause 34, regional development agencies are given a new purpose—to prepare for the London...

I add my voice to the congratulations to my right hon. Friend on the role that she played in winning the bid. A number of provisions in the Bill are designed to ensure that the priority is to deliver the games by 2012. Is she confident that the Bill contains...

I add my voice to the congratulations to my right hon. Friend on the role that she played in winning the bid. A number of provisions in the Bill are designed to ensure that the priority is to deliver the games by 2012. Is she confident that the Bill contains...

I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention and pay tribute to his advocacy of the Olympic bid and the regeneration of the lower Lea valley, which will bring great benefits to his constituents. He has been an advocate for many years when the Olympic bid did not have many...

I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention and pay tribute to his advocacy of the Olympic bid and the regeneration of the lower Lea valley, which will bring great benefits to his constituents. He has been an advocate for many years when the Olympic bid did not have many...

I have been waiting patiently to say something nice to the right hon. Lady. May I say on behalf of the Scottish National party how sincerely and wholeheartedly we congratulate London on securing the games? It is incumbent upon her to match the rhetoric and demonstrate that it truly was...

I have been waiting patiently to say something nice to the right hon. Lady. May I say on behalf of the Scottish National party how sincerely and wholeheartedly we congratulate London on securing the games? It is incumbent upon her to match the rhetoric and demonstrate that it truly was...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention, which was well worth waiting for. He has been consistent in at least one respect—his opposition to using lottery funds to meet the costs of the Olympics. That will not change. That is the way the public contribution will be met, in...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention, which was well worth waiting for. He has been consistent in at least one respect—his opposition to using lottery funds to meet the costs of the Olympics. That will not change. That is the way the public contribution will be met, in...

My point is about regeneration and the protection of existing communities. In the boroughs surrounding Stratford and the other sites, there are many very poor people. There are also many artistic communities that have limited and low cost facilities. Will the Secretary of State ensure that the games do not...

My point is about regeneration and the protection of existing communities. In the boroughs surrounding Stratford and the other sites, there are many very poor people. There are also many artistic communities that have limited and low cost facilities. Will the Secretary of State ensure that the games do not...

I thank my hon. Friend for that important point. I hope he will be reassured in part by the fact that the Olympic village will represent a substantial contribution to London’s affordable housing. Working with the communities around the Stratford park and the lower Lea valley has been an important...

I thank my hon. Friend for that important point. I hope he will be reassured in part by the fact that the Olympic village will represent a substantial contribution to London’s affordable housing. Working with the communities around the Stratford park and the lower Lea valley has been an important...