• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 08 December 2004

Prior to the election, I was a member of that Gold group, and I know how I was going to be ferried in to whichever point was possible. It is not always possible to get in to Scotland Yard, but there will be that gap when the international media are absolutely, totally hungry for news, as will be Londoners and the rest of the UK. Someone has to fill that gap, and I am asking, 'who?'

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 08 December 2004

I would have thought that within minutes it would have been obvious even to the most lowly of Londoners whether an issue was of a major catastrophe or just a local incident, so I am surprised that it is going to take 48 hours to determine who takes the lead, because as soon as something happens, in less than 48 seconds, CNN and Sky will want to be there, and they will be taking the lead. Therefore, who actually is going to fill that gap whilst you are hauling in chief executives from Essex or Hertfordshire, as I know where...

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 08 December 2004

Commander Michael Messinger, MPS added:

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 08 December 2004

Let me share your optimism and your confidence ' which I think I do, really ' for what would happen in, say, the first 48 hours, when we deal with the immediate crisis. What I would like to probe is what happens after the first, say, 48 hours, when we really are getting into the recovery period, when it is, perhaps, less of a crisis and more of an emergency. Who is going to be taking charge then? What is the role of the Mayor and the GLA, and what are the roles of the individual London boroughs? Who is...

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 08 December 2004

Bob Neill (AM): I am sure that is right. It is a shame that GOL are not here so that we could have heard it be said. Brian Coleman (Chair): Indeed, we wish Mr Kowalczyk was here, so we could pay tribute to him this morning, but unfortunately he is not. I am sure, however, his spies are in the audience somewhere. Can I just ask, Mr Mayer, are you saying we need, in your professional opinion as an officer ' or 'mere bureaucrat,' as you describe yourself ' that we need an office of emergency planning in London?

• Question by: Peter Hulme Cross
• Meeting date: 08 December 2004

Just a very quick question. You mentioned a gas attack down, sir, the Tube network, like with Sarin. Do you have the necessary equipment to go down and administer help underground, and the necessary breathing apparatus to last long enough to be effective? For instance, if they do not last half an hour, you will only have about 15 minutes or so down there.

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 08 December 2004

Just going back to one of my bugbears since the ricin in Wood Green, when the local chair of the Health Trust, the local chief executive, and I think the local head of the Fire Service were not aware of the ricin incident until two days afterwards. Are you satisfied that in terms of a health issue, the communications are now infallible?

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 08 December 2004

I appreciate, Mr Messenger, you cannot answer for BTP, and BTP are not here today, and indeed, BTP do not have full control of their own resources, and that is an issue. Are you aware of any timetable for the conclusion of those discussions?

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 08 December 2004

Do you, therefore, think it is a problem that we are undersupplied with all of those resources on the over-ground system in London?

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 08 December 2004

Would you agree that the BTP, CCTV systems, and communications systems on the Underground are actually an important part of protection, as well as evacuation plans?