Government plans to give London’s mayor extensive powers to deliver the Olympics have been challenged by MPs.
While MPs accepted that the Greater London Authority and the mayor needed Olympic-specific powers, the powers proposed were ‘very wide-ranging,’ according to Conservative shadow culture secretary Theresa May.
The authority could ‘undertake works of any description’ and ‘acquire land or other property’ anywhere in the country, under the London Olympics Bill.
May, speaking during last week’s Commons debate on the Bill, urged a requirement for the GLA to consult the boroughs that will ‘play such an important role in delivering the Olympics’. She was backed by members from all sides of the house.
Sports minister Richard Caborn assured MPs that the powers would be dealt with in committee, adding, ‘there are enough checks and balances to ensure they are used reasonably’.
MPs sped the Bill through its third reading to the committee stage, which has to conclude by 20 October.
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