• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 17 December 2003

Clearly I am very pleased to hear that. I have not made my point clearly. With the TravelSmart pilot you can actually reduce car use by up to 11%. That is a very, very cheap way of reducing the car use. To me there is still this economic confusion about what actually delivers best results and actually buses are much more expensive than encouraging people to examine these journeys through these pilots. I am just trying to get you to say you will give even more money to them.

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 17 December 2003

Clearly I agree with you, but the fact is all these issues are still given tiny amounts of money, when we are giving millions to think about the Thames Gateway Bridge or build up other bids. We still only have £1 million for these car reduction measures. That seems out of all proportion to me.

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 17 December 2003

No, the budget is to Smart Moves and my understanding is it is going to be cut, in which case we should look at it.

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 17 December 2003

We all pat ourselves on the back for having a Car Free Day here in London because it is such a challenge, but I am concerned that not very much actually comes out of it ultimately. I think TfL has a responsibility to keep pushing things that will become permanent. When somewhere like Bordeaux has a Car Free Day once a month, we really ought to take it more seriously here in London. There is also the fact that some of the TravelSmart pilots run by TfL, which reduce car use, still have a miserly budget. Is TfL going to...

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 17 December 2003

That was not the question.

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 17 December 2003

I think Londoners will be concerned because although the right to strike is an important right, surely the right for them to travel in and out of their city is even more important and has a priority with the majority of people who work and live in London. What are you doing about your relationship with the RMT? Do you really think that Bob Crow (General Secretary, RMT) is a suitable person to be on the Board of TfL bearing in mind that he is continually trying to bring the Tube to a halt? Do you feel it is wise...

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 17 December 2003

I am sure Londoners will hope that the RMT takes your advice to heart. Could you just update us on the work you have done towards a no-strike agreement? Last year, you told us that when you got the Tube you would have a no-strike agreement and there would be far less industrial action. It appears from the press headline that there are more threats at the moment. What progress have you made there?

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 17 December 2003

You looked a touch embarrassed, no doubt because that question was written before the news came out this morning of the latest strike threat highlighted on the front page of the Evening Standard on the Circle and Metropolitan Lines. What steps are you taking to ensure that we do not have a strike over a silly issue about someone playing squash when they are supposed to be off sick?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 17 December 2003

It just happens that Bob Crow grew up in the tower block next door to the one that I lived in for 10 years in Cable Street. He was never a member or a supporter of the Labour Party in those days and I suspect that he never will be. But he is a trade unionist and I am a trade unionist and my instinct is to support him, but a lot of Labour Members are very frustrated with what has happened with the RMT in London. On this side of the Chamber I think we would strongly support your...

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 17 December 2003

And if we had the powers of the Scottish Parliament we would probably be in Government supporting that. How will you demonstrate your new-found loyalty to the Labour Government at the same time as fighting this election, whilst this issue is so high profile in Parliament and outside?