• Question by: Sally Hamwee
• Meeting date: 28 April 2004

That is another bit of legislation that would be needed.

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 28 April 2004

When you see Network Rail will you also talk to them about accessibility of stations? We have problems with the lift at Ilford Station not working and the steepness of the stairs there. I have been telling constituents that when Crossrail happens the station will be improved. However, given your comments on Tuesday that we may not see Crossrail at Ilford in the first part of the project anyway, can you prevail upon Network Rail to make the necessary improvements as soon as possible?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 28 April 2004

It looks very attractive! I am sure this will come as no surprise to you, but it transpired that they subcontract their cleansing to Jarvis. What is more, although they are contracted to inspect and maintain, clearly at the four stations I mentioned, and I am sure Meg would say the same about hers, they have not inspected or removed any litter for years. How much money has gone to that company for work they have not done? I would welcome your input on this, and your heavy weight, since Meg seems to think you are a heavyweight, to force...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 28 April 2004

We have also heard evidence at Haringey, Hornsey, Alexandra Park and Bounds Green stations. After a year, I got the right person at Network Rail to come out there with me. I managed to get new fencing, but they leave the litter behind. It is Network Rail, I agree with Meg, and not the train operator.

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 28 April 2004

What is your message to local people who are out there with me at the weekends logging and formally recording the litter? Where should we send that? Should we send it to you, or to TfL?

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 28 April 2004

That was not as unequivocal an answer as I would like because locally we are already taking steps legally. We can do it station by station, borough by borough, with individual groups and elected members. Will you give your weight to a more blanket legal approach before any transfer? I also look forward to a resolution of the London rail issue, but we all know that will not be quick. What about now?

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 28 April 2004

Locally, we are surveying stations in order to follow the LTUC guidelines. You mentioned talking to the Chair. Will you be considering a London-wide crackdown on Network Rail, because frankly, Mayor, with your political weight, if you said to Network Rail that this will not do in London you would underline the zero tolerance you indicated in your answer to the question from Hackney Free and Parochial School? Our evidence shows that it is Network Rail who is the criminal here, and not the train operators in the stations we surveyed.

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 28 April 2004

You said at the beginning that one thing you could have done better was to be nicer to us. I am not sure all of us could cope with that. Do you then regret four years describing the Labour Assembly Members here as very much Labour's `second eleven', or did the first 20 minutes of this Question Time confirm you in that view?

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 28 April 2004

Will you be able to get in touch with me pretty quickly?

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 28 April 2004

TfL (Transport for London) has promised each council £3,000 to set up disability forums in each of the 32/33 boroughs. Your Disability Inclusion Unit is undergoing change management and is withdrawing its commitment until it has conducted a review. Can you shed light on this, or is this just a pre-election promise? Will you be counting this as one of your grand achievements?