• Question by: Peter Hulme Cross
• Meeting date: 11 October 2006

Well, I would have thought that the purpose of the LDA was to provide London with jobs and economic development. Personally, I do not really see the rationale for spending so much money which could have been directed elsewhere, to jobs for young people, whatever, on the Caribbean Showcase, when the Notting Hill Carnival was going on at the same time. I cannot make that connection, I am afraid. I just think that it is extraordinary that you should spend the money in this way.

• Question by: Peter Hulme Cross
• Meeting date: 11 October 2006

Thank you. It says on the LDA's website that the LDA's objectives are regenerating London, supporting people, that is removing barriers to employment, encouraging business, and marketing and promoting London. Yet you spent £215,000, approximately 70 per cent of the cost of the Caribbean Showcase, putting it on in Hyde Park on the same day as the Notting Hill Carnival. That does not seem to add up and make sense to me.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 11 October 2006

Right, so you will be able to separate out for us the actual sponsorship money that came from the private sector as opposed to other functional body support

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 11 October 2006

I think the less we pay attention to the Review the better, because those who were part of the Review were not even asked to look at the document, let alone sign it off. I am not sure quite how much credibility it has. Can you tell us how much actual revenue came from private sponsors? £15,000 from schools I see.

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 11 October 2006

Did you attend, Ms. Reilly?

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 11 October 2006

Did you attend?

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 11 October 2006

Did you attend, Mr Lewis?

• Question by: Peter Hulme Cross
• Meeting date: 11 October 2006

Extension of Carnival? So, the Carnival happens in Notting Hill and you have your extension in Hyde Park, and according to your website `We work to present a powerful, consistent and relevant image of London as a vibrant place to live, study, visit and do business' and that is what the Caribbean Showcase does?

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 11 October 2006

It may also presumably include people who, for cultural or religious reasons, also do not work; women I am thinking of in particular.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 11 October 2006

: Indeed, but I think someone should ask well what would be the point in trying to get into work people who are long-term sick and disabled, who have obviously taken themselves out of work because they cannot work? What is the point of getting students into work when they are there to be studying and what is the point in spending a lot of resources on getting people to work who have chosen not to work because they are carers at home or indeed, as I have just said, there is a percentage of women who choose not to...