• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 17 November 2004

I find there is an interesting linkage between this and the previous question, because it is very easy for us to all agree that GOL should be abolished, but as soon as we then talk about the disposition of powers between the boroughs and the GLA, we start bickering about that. Clearly, what we need to have is an understanding, a consistent relationship, something based on rules, which people can clearly understand, and they know what freedoms they will have, and they will know when problems will arise. Where this is leading is that I have been in correspondence with...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 17 November 2004

That is not a reason to give them power.

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 17 November 2004

I have said, 'okay, valid argument,' but what is the Government going to intervene in you, because they now have the power to intervene if they do not like what you are doing? You are the Mayor of London.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 17 November 2004

This is money that Londoners are having to borrow and pay for, it is not money that has been actually given to London. Let us be clear about that. We are certainly being allowed to borrow, which, of course, is tomorrow's payback: taxation.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 17 November 2004

The bills, too.

• Question by: Dee Doocey
• Meeting date: 17 November 2004

Can I ask you about the business community? After all, they are going to be the prime people who are going to really reap the benefit from the Olympics. How much are you doing, and if you could just tell us what exactly you are doing, to get them to increase their contribution that they are going to make to the Games? I am just particularly concerned that in a throw-away remark to Angie (Bray) just now, you said that, with the contribution from the business community, it would be over £5 billion, but since the budget is already £4.875...

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 17 November 2004

That is not the same as a generous handout.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 17 November 2004

That you would do your job as the Mayor of London and make sure that any money coming back goes straight to London. That was it.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 17 November 2004

I have to say, I am not quite sure where your latest figures have gone, because clearly the 12% on the expected amount that the Olympic lottery is going to raise is much closer to £350 million, unless you are suggesting that the ticket sales are not going to be as successful as they were originally deemed to be. Can I also ask you to reassure us that, were you to be successful in pressing for that extra money from the Chancellor, you would also be fighting hard to ensure that that money actually went to help Londoners who are...

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 17 November 2004

Well, that is certainly an improvement on the answer you gave me on this very question last time round, when you attempted to say that there was no need for the Government to be any more generous than it already had been, because it was so good to London on so many occasions that you really did not see the point in pressing the case. I appreciate the fact that you have now swung round to our point of view on this. It is worth just reminding ourselves, is it not, that the Chancellor has already decided to return the...