• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

As the newly selected Conservative candidate for Ealing Central & Acton, you will appreciate that this is going to become of even more of interest to me than it already is as a GLA Member for Hammersmith & Fulham. Can I put it to you that the perception out there, both in Hammersmith & Fulham and in Ealing & Acton, is that this is everything to do with bringing people from Uxbridge towards Central London, and has very little to do with the interests of the people who lie in between.

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

I am just wondering, do you think in the Acton part of this proposed tram, you should replace the tram with a 4x4 lane, with special access routes to Gloucestershire? Have you considered that as an option?

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

Why do you keep comparing it with Croydon, when the difference, surely, is a rather key one; Croydon is largely built on old, unused railways lines, which were therefore already there, and not getting in the way of other people trying to use other forms of transport to get around, whereas this is literally going to close the centre of Acton.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

But do you accept that it is not really a proper comparison, because the trams in Croydon were built on old railway lines? They were not digging up a major arterial road.

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

It was just an idea.

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

I welcome that, Mr Mayor, and I feel sure that when Steven Pound gives his views and says that anybody who supports the tram must be barking, I trust that he is not referring to you.

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

You share my commitment, Mr Mayor, but I note that the support for the tram has actually fallen every time you have done a new survey. Do you think that Andrew Slaughter, Steven Pound and Piara Khabra, who will have to vote for this in the House of Commons, will actually vote in favour of the Transport and Works Act? Do you think they will commit political suicide on your behalf?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

Why not?

• Question by: Murad Qureshi
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

I will do, if you allow me to. If you will join me in congratulating them in undertaking and nurturing the Diwali festival for a number of years, it was a huge success. It was also a good story in the media. I am just wondering whether we can expect the same treatment for the Eid festival on Trafalgar Square on 28 October?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

As Diwali has been mentioned, Mr Mayor, can I wish you a Happy New Year, and can I also invite you to congratulate my constituent, Mr Bhatia who actually was the initiator of all of this, some three years ago?