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

Whilst we are talking about Associated Newspapers and News International, I think the thing that has really happened with newspapers is that they have actually got bulkier. There are all these supplements and this, that and the other. I am not sure whether we can ask newspapers, if they are going to talk about recycling and what should be done, to keep their size down and not give us all the supplements that we end up binning straightaway when we get them.

• Question by: Peter Hulme Cross
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

A lot of this newsprint, which is collected for recycling, finds its way to the Far East, to China, to Malaysia, to Indonesia, where they apparently cope with it. We do not seem to be able to cope with it. What is your feeling about all this waste that we collect, and are supposed to be recycling, actually is recycled in the Far East, and not here?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

Now, in TfL's environment report last year, there was a commitment that there would be newspaper recycling network-wide. My information is that is not happening because of Metronet. Can I ask what you can do or will do to put pressure on Metronet to fulfil that commitment?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

Well, it is just shaming them into doing something. One practical suggestion for you is the Metro title, which is obviously the Associated Newspapers title , and has the contract from you for the morning distribution, has signed the Green procurement code, committing itself, voluntarily, to being environmentally progressive. Would you make it a requirement that the evening bidder also has to sign an agreement?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

I am grateful for the statutory reference, because I am after the boroughs and the Corporation as well on this one, because the world has gone mad. There are now 1.3 million of these free newspapers being given out every day on our streets. That is going to get worse with the Murdoch title having been just awarded yesterday, the overground distribution rights. Taking it closer to home, what you can do about this? You are about to let a contract to somebody for the afternoon distribution. Will you make it mandatory, as part of that contract, that they will...

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

The single waste authority was a disposal authority, but I am talking about the collection. It is an excuse to say, `When we have got powers we will do it'. You could be taking a lead now for borough responsibility.

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

Can I ask you then whether you will support a third idea from the Liberal Democrats? You will be aware that all our wallets and purses are full of cards that encourage us to consume and give us extra points; loyalty cards to encourage us to consume in environmentally-damaging ways. Could we not be using this card [holds up an Oyster card], a smart card, to encourage shoppers to shift their purchasing power to environmentally benign things? So, for example, if people switch to renewable energy, they could have points. If they go out and buy second hand goods, if...

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

The technology is there and the experience is there, if we have a Mayor who will take a lead on it. Thank you.

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

Yes. I know that Charles Kennedy got very confused when he was talking about this, but you seem to have a great focus on this and see this as a great opportunity for yet another expansion of London government then.

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 18 November 2006

I would like to thank Mike (Tuffrey) for endorsing the emerging Vote Blue Go Green majority on environmental issues. Can I ask a question on one other element of the Liberal Democrat Tax Strategy? Would it not be very disadvantageous to London to be supporting such a strategy, where many people in an expensive city have a situation where a household has more than one income earner? Would the Liberal Democrat programme of a local income tax not be disadvantageous to Londoners?