• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 14 September 2005

Very briefly ' and perhaps a little mischievously ' would you agree with me, and I think you have begun to answer this question, that the underlying problem behind the question is that the Liberal Democrats have a problem in working out whether they are a party of the Left or the Right? They tend to reconcile this by trying to be both at the same time. While we welcome Geoff Pope's comments about investing in public transport, could you perhaps give some further guidance as to how they could resolve this conflict? It would be very helpful to Londoners...

• Question by: Len Duvall OBE
• Meeting date: 14 September 2005

Well, that is better than the answer they gave me before, which was `no.- Can I just ask, Mr Mayor, in your briefing note, then, does it say then that they realise that there is a loophole? There is a legitimate issue here of where bus passengers are injured, through no fault of their own and not the fault of London Transport, that it may be possible for them to receive compensation.

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 14 September 2005

That would be very helpful. It is clearly the case that young people also do move around across borough boundaries, and there is a role for a larger entity in this. I would be interested to know whether you think there should be special planning guidance in the London Plan on youth and play facilities, particularly outdoor facilities. There certainly do not seem to be common high standards on those issues. I would be interested if the LDA does take control of the Learning and Skills Councils (LSCs) whether or not there is some interface there, and also whether or...

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 14 September 2005

Thank you, Mayor. In fact, I recently carried out a crime survey in two wards in Southwark, in Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays. We had over 1,000 responses, and it was absolutely shocking. It was stunning that 70% of the respondents made comments about problems of youth gangs, problems of scooters, and problems with anti-social behaviour. I do not think that area is typical of the rest of London, but there is clearly a lack of leadership facilities outlets for young people. It presents itself to us at the GLA, I think, as a demand for more policing. In as much...

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 14 September 2005

I just wanted to move on to the low-emission zone. You will be aware of the considerable frustration at how long it has taken to get this moving, so can I ask you two questions. Firstly, what has actually happened that allows you to put something to the board next month, I think you said? Secondly, that is merely, presumably, an announcement of some sort. When can we actually see things happening?

• Question by: Sally Hamwee
• Meeting date: 14 September 2005

Can I ask you about something I had expected to hear in your update? Almost two years ago, you announced when we won the Rugby World Cup, that you had conferred the Freedom of Greater London on the squad. What about our cricket team?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 14 September 2005

What do you estimate to be the call on the precept, then?

• Question by: Joanne McCartney
• Meeting date: 14 September 2005

Firstly, on the policing update you gave: a great welcome to the roll out of the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams and the larger counter-terrorism unit. Given the recent events in London, there has been concern that other crimes have not been investigated as quickly as they should have been. Does the increase and the establishment of the specialist crime networks go some way to building and bridging the deficit that has been shown to exist?

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 14 September 2005

I am really happy about the low-emission zone, so congratulations on that. I just want to talk to you about the changes in the structure of the MPS. You know I have been fighting for years now to keep the traffic section fully staffed ' or rather, to get it fully staffed. It has just about achieved that, and they are now planning to take away 35 officers for anti-terrorist duties. If those officers are taken ' they are really highly skilled; they are very dedicated to what they are doing ' then more people will die on the roads...

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 14 September 2005

Mr Mayor, you have accepted that PCSOs seem to reduce crime. They certainly offer reassurance, and I am not against them at all, because they have a role in certain situations. The roll out, however, as you know, is very expensive. Therefore, would you accept that the roll out of PCSOs is to the detriment, perhaps, of trained and warranted police officers, i.e., we would not get as many new police officers if we had to roll out the whole of the Safer Neighbourhoods Programme?