My Lords, perhaps it is a little impertinent of me to deny a compliment that has just been given by the noble Lord, Lord Howarth, to my noble friend Lord Greaves, but he congratulated my noble friend on tabulating the items, when I think my noble friend would say that...

My Lords, perhaps it is a little impertinent of me to deny a compliment that has just been given by the noble Lord, Lord Howarth, to my noble friend Lord Greaves, but he congratulated my noble friend on tabulating the items, when I think my noble friend would say that...

My Lords, perhaps I, too, may ask a question about the provision of infrastructure on an ““ongoing”” basis. I entirely sympathise with the search for elegance, as my noble friend put it. My question is whether providing infrastructure on an ongoing basis means maintaining it. If that was what was...

My Lords, perhaps I, too, may ask a question about the provision of infrastructure on an ““ongoing”” basis. I entirely sympathise with the search for elegance, as my noble friend put it. My question is whether providing infrastructure on an ongoing basis means maintaining it. If that was what was...

Yet. I was going to say that the noble Lord, Lord Jenkin, was a third, but I mean the first; he is indeed here, and I would be the third. I am also a former London borough councillor and member of the Greater London Authority, with the consequent loyalties to...

Yet. I was going to say that the noble Lord, Lord Jenkin, was a third, but I mean the first; he is indeed here, and I would be the third. I am also a former London borough councillor and member of the Greater London Authority, with the consequent loyalties to...

Don’t say that.

Don’t say that.

I shall also speak to Amendments 24 and 26 to 31. Before I do so and to ensure that no one spends time following up the point I made on the powers of regional development agencies, let me "fess up". The provision I was thinking of says that: ""A regional...

I shall also speak to Amendments 24 and 26 to 31. Before I do so and to ensure that no one spends time following up the point I made on the powers of regional development agencies, let me "fess up". The provision I was thinking of says that: ""A regional...

The amendment puzzled me because it seemed to be inconsistent with the noble Lord’s other concerns but, having heard him speak, I think that he is probing what is meant, rather than seeking to take the provision out of the Bill. It gives me an opportunity to ask the Minister...

The amendment puzzled me because it seemed to be inconsistent with the noble Lord’s other concerns but, having heard him speak, I think that he is probing what is meant, rather than seeking to take the provision out of the Bill. It gives me an opportunity to ask the Minister...

I have every sympathy with the Minister and DCLG officials for the difficulties that they may be encountering in cross-departmental arrangements. It is not the first time that we have heard about such problems. It would be helpful if we received the draft map, in whatever form it takes, before...

I have every sympathy with the Minister and DCLG officials for the difficulties that they may be encountering in cross-departmental arrangements. It is not the first time that we have heard about such problems. It would be helpful if we received the draft map, in whatever form it takes, before...

Before the noble Lord, Lord Bates, withdraws his amendment, it is hardly for me to leap to the defence of the Government on transport funding for London, but I must say to the noble Earl—I am sure he has encountered this in his years as a councillor—that disentangling the real...

Before the noble Lord, Lord Bates, withdraws his amendment, it is hardly for me to leap to the defence of the Government on transport funding for London, but I must say to the noble Earl—I am sure he has encountered this in his years as a councillor—that disentangling the real...

It has been an interesting debate. Both noble Lords who spoke raised interesting questions. I wrote down the noble Baroness’s phrase "commanding support"—that the project has to command support. I wrote down "ballot"; we are going to keep coming back to that, are we not? It is certainly necessary for...

It has been an interesting debate. Both noble Lords who spoke raised interesting questions. I wrote down the noble Baroness’s phrase "commanding support"—that the project has to command support. I wrote down "ballot"; we are going to keep coming back to that, are we not? It is certainly necessary for...

I also speak to Amendments 7, 12 and 65. I thought that Amendment 2 would give rise to a spate of lobbying against me on the part of business organisations. I am not sure that it has but I would like to explain why I am seeking to allow the...

I also speak to Amendments 7, 12 and 65. I thought that Amendment 2 would give rise to a spate of lobbying against me on the part of business organisations. I am not sure that it has but I would like to explain why I am seeking to allow the...

I had better take advantage of the respite from the noise of the helicopters but I hear that it is not continuing. This reminds me of my early days in your Lordships' House when I took a guest, who was the chief executive of a record company, into the Chamber...

I had better take advantage of the respite from the noise of the helicopters but I hear that it is not continuing. This reminds me of my early days in your Lordships' House when I took a guest, who was the chief executive of a record company, into the Chamber...

Amendment 8 8: Clause 3, page 2, line 26, leave out "The Greater London Authority" and insert "A levying authority"

Amendment 8 8: Clause 3, page 2, line 26, leave out "The Greater London Authority" and insert "A levying authority"

I shall speak also to Amendments 9, 10 and 32. I appreciate that Clause 3(5), which would be amended by the first three amendments in this group, is designed for the particular structure of the Greater London Authority; it refers to the GLA and to "functional bodies", the term that...

I shall speak also to Amendments 9, 10 and 32. I appreciate that Clause 3(5), which would be amended by the first three amendments in this group, is designed for the particular structure of the Greater London Authority; it refers to the GLA and to "functional bodies", the term that...

I am grateful to the noble Baroness. I thought that I understood London, but I am puzzled why Clause 3(5) is necessary. Is it because the GLA’s powers—as distinct from those of the functional bodies—are not sufficiently extensive?

I am grateful to the noble Baroness. I thought that I understood London, but I am puzzled why Clause 3(5) is necessary. Is it because the GLA’s powers—as distinct from those of the functional bodies—are not sufficiently extensive?

Clause 4: Conditions for imposing a BRS Amendment 13 13: Clause 4, page 3, line 21, leave out "where there is to be"

Clause 4: Conditions for imposing a BRS Amendment 13 13: Clause 4, page 3, line 21, leave out "where there is to be"

I like the idea of Hansard having illustrations, but let us not go as far as cartoons. On the Minister’s last point, where she quoted the LGA, I still have difficulty in applying the points that it makes to the question of under and over one-third. The arguments are yes...

I like the idea of Hansard having illustrations, but let us not go as far as cartoons. On the Minister’s last point, where she quoted the LGA, I still have difficulty in applying the points that it makes to the question of under and over one-third. The arguments are yes...

The noble Baroness's comments on Amendments 9 and 10 were helpful. I had not intended Amendment 32 to be restrictive. It was designed to assist ratepayers in assessing what they are being asked to sign up to. I was not proposing a particular model; I used the phrase, ""whether a...

The noble Baroness's comments on Amendments 9 and 10 were helpful. I had not intended Amendment 32 to be restrictive. It was designed to assist ratepayers in assessing what they are being asked to sign up to. I was not proposing a particular model; I used the phrase, ""whether a...

Amendment 6 6: Clause 3, page 2, line 10, at end insert— "( ) Such sums may be used for capital and revenue expenditure or either."

Amendment 6 6: Clause 3, page 2, line 10, at end insert— "( ) Such sums may be used for capital and revenue expenditure or either."

I shall speak also to Amendments 15, 16, 17, 34, 36, 42, 44, 46 and 47, and I am quite alarmed that I seem to have so few notes for so many amendments. The noble Lord, Lord Bates, and the noble Earl, Lord Cathcart, have other amendments in this group....

I shall speak also to Amendments 15, 16, 17, 34, 36, 42, 44, 46 and 47, and I am quite alarmed that I seem to have so few notes for so many amendments. The noble Lord, Lord Bates, and the noble Earl, Lord Cathcart, have other amendments in this group....

Amendment 2 2: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, at end insert— "(2A) Regulations may amend subsection (2) so as to add to or vary the purpose of projects for which money may be raised by a BRS. (2B) The appropriate national authority shall consult on the draft of any...

Amendment 2 2: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, at end insert— "(2A) Regulations may amend subsection (2) so as to add to or vary the purpose of projects for which money may be raised by a BRS. (2B) The appropriate national authority shall consult on the draft of any...