• Question by: Murad Qureshi
• Meeting date: 14 December 2005

Thank you for that. Given your initiative on trying to make the black-cab market accessible to minority groups, I think the trick is to make `The Knowledge' more accessible through National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) as Jennette (Arnold) has campaigned for, or even developing it into a diploma or degree qualification. I think that is the trick to do because I think the way `The Knowledge' is spread, it needs to change with the times. When it was first created, it was quite acceptable to have that knowledge passed through one-to-one exchanges; today that is just not current and the nearest...

• Question by: Murad Qureshi
• Meeting date: 14 December 2005

I welcome this move of the velodrome. It is just that keen cyclists in Eastway do not feel that it actually meets some of the specifications that they would like. Can you just confirm that it will be up to Olympic standards and that it is probably going to be state of the art? In time, I am sure they will grow to appreciate these new facilities.

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 14 December 2005

Would you be happy if the people of Waltham Forest were to lose the only land-based legacy coming out of the Olympics?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 14 December 2005

Last week, I was in my constituency visiting that area and people were a bit concerned because there was a rumour that the velodrome may well be moved, because when you start to reconfigure the site that is one thing that it is possible to relocate. Have you heard anything like this and what do you think about such a move?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 14 December 2005

You would not be worried then?

• Question by: Murad Qureshi
• Meeting date: 14 December 2005

Thank you for that update. If I come to the first issue you raised about severe winter weather, it just seems that our transport infrastructure finds it very difficult to deal with any severe weather, if you compare it against North America and Scandinavia. Is there a case that maybe the specifications of our transport infrastructure should be such that it could deal with things like that?

• Question by: Bob Blackman
• Meeting date: 14 December 2005

I am sure you would want to place on record the appreciation for the heroism of the firefighters in putting the fire out at Buncefield. I think one of the concerns we would have, and I think this must be shared by everyone, is the vulnerability of some of these locations throughout London and whether you think there is a case for a review of other potential vulnerable sites.

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 14 December 2005

Can I thank you for the work that you have been doing around the threat to Londoners from the severe winter that is forecast? Can you just give us your assurance that in terms of older people you will be using the endeavours of your office and speaking to those people in health and in the local government social services so that we can get the message out? I do not suppose we can get it out to every elderly person in London, but it is critical that they understand the importance of this and that they seek help and...

• Question by: Murad Qureshi
• Meeting date: 14 December 2005

I am glad to hear that you seem fairly up to date with Buncefield oil depot. One of the particular concerns is the PM10s (particulate matter of fewer than 10 microns' diameter), which will cause respiratory problems to Londoners, but I am not asking a question about that. I just want to ask about the Asian flu plan. It is set up to maintain the GLA Functional Bodies, but what about ordinary Londoners and what will the NHS and our general practitioners (GPs) be able to do for ordinary folk trying to get through? It is one thing keeping the...

• Question by: Damian Hockney
• Meeting date: 16 November 2005

However, the Conservatives supported the Olympic Games, not like us. We did not support the Games coming to London unless and until there was a referendum on the matter and full disclosure. Our point is, though, it does not matter what you think is politically motivated but Lord Coe (Chairman, London 2012) is a Conservative and he is involved with the Olympics; Lord Moynihan (Chairman, British Olympic Association) and many others and the Conservative Party supported it. Therefore how can that be political? Lance Foreman is no longer actively involved so where is this being political?