• Question by: Andrew Boff
• Meeting date: 12 November 2008

Mr Mayor, can you explain why the Members opposite hold uniformed youth organisations in such contempt?

• Question by: Andrew Boff
• Meeting date: 12 November 2008

Mr Mayor, how will you understand a substantial vote for the middle option of amending it, because you cannot anticipate what people are thinking. If you do not give them a yes or no answer and you give them a third option, for those who might vote for that option it could be that they want to keep the congestion charge, but amend it, or their motives may be, 'We would rather get rid of it but if we have to have it we would rather it was amended'. The trouble with the third option is that you cannot really...

• Question by: Kit Malthouse
• Meeting date: 12 November 2008

Would you agree with me, Mr Mayor, that part of the problem with the dangerous dogs issue is that the slow speed at which decisions are made by magistrates about the disposal of the dogs? Also that the current cost to the Metropolitan Police Service, which is running at over £2 million, of running kennels to hold these animals is unacceptably high given that often they are in there for months on end before a decision is made at the end of a prolonged court battle about the dog, and that part of this action plan could be agreeing a...

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 12 November 2008

Obviously we welcome the interesting article in the press yesterday attributed to Mr Mandelson. Would you agree that in order to get through to the bottom of this issue one needs to separate the need of the postal service to operate commercially and recognise that, for example, in the case of Germany and I think the Netherlands, they have very thrusting commercial postal operators who are making big profits, buying up businesses across Europe, whereas ours has been relatively struggling, separating that from the important social need to provide outlets particularly to disadvantaged communities and people who are less mobile...

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 12 November 2008

Mr Mayor, we have of course got part of the Thames Gateway in Havering and it is not, as John Biggs suggests, a Labour area of the Thames Gateway. In fact, with just one Labour council it is almost a Labour-free area of the Thames Gateway. Like most of the Gateway it is on flood plain and subject to a threat of flooding. Could you make sure when you lobby for our money that they are not going to water down flood defences for this very important area because if people are going to live there we want them to...

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 12 November 2008

I was, by the way, on the previous question going to ask whether you were inclined to sponsor the creation of a London branch of the Bullingdon Club to promote youth harmony, but I did not have the opportunity to do that. Given its promotion of vertical drinking and antisocial behaviour that is probably not a good idea. On the Gateway I am surprised that the Tories even persisted with this question because the proper posture for you is one of shame at having given back to the Government £350 million which they had put on the table for you...

• Question by: James Cleverly
• Meeting date: 12 November 2008

Mr Mayor, would you feel that you could support a marriage where one of the parties in that marriage was deeply opposed to the marriage? A forced marriage, if you will.

• Question by: Joanne McCartney
• Meeting date: 12 November 2008

I wanted to come in because Andrew's [Boff] raised the issue of affordable rents for markets and you can see we have representatives from Wards Corner Coalition, the Latin American Market here as well. I met with them this week and one of the things they are concerned about is ongoing rents should development go ahead on the site. I know that it is within your planning ambit at the moment so you cannot comment on the planning application itself, but could I ask you to agree that Ian Clement [Deputy Mayor, Government Relations], who you have delegated this decision...

• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 12 November 2008

This is a much wider problem than simply street markets. Traditionally being under the arches or on land which is owned by transport undertakings has always been the first stop for small entrepreneurs setting up in their businesses. I receive representations from TfL tenants in Stamford Brook who believe that the increases in their rent are very substantial and under current circumstances unaffordable. Can I put it to you, Mr Mayor, it is better to have some rent from an occupied premise than no rent from someone because the business has been driven out by the policies of TfL? Would...

• Question by: Caroline Pidgeon
• Meeting date: 12 November 2008

Yes, I do. I have now obviously read your document and in it you claim that your new Routemasters will be introduced in 2011, but really, looking at the detail, what it says is one prototype vehicle you may be able to deliver by the end of 2011.