London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Bill

As the Minister has said, the amendment gives statutory force to the requirement to consult the advertising industry, its regulators and LOCOG. Once again, it returns to an issue that was discussed at length in Committee and on Report in this House and in the other place. It recognises the concerns of the industry and strengthens the requirement to consult, and therefore has my full support. As the Bill leaves this House and Parliament for Royal Assent, may I place on the record my view that it is a considerable achievement for Parliament to have got such a complicated but important Bill on to the statute book in so short a time? I have already paid tribute to civil servants for their work—I do so again now—and I also pay tribute to those at LOCOG and the British Olympic Association who have been involved with the Bill. The Bill has also been an excellent advertisement for the benefits of parliamentary scrutiny and cross-party co-operation. I hope that the Government will do everything in their power to ensure that that continues as we move towards 2012, and if they do so, they will have our wholehearted support.