• Question by: Noel Lynch
• Meeting date: 22 October 2003

This would not be the first time the Labour group has mischievously misquoted the Greens. It is quite obvious they have not read the speech, which I have in front of me. Patrick was not condemning the exercise; he was condemning the use in Scotland and re use of the pictures of the police officers in bio hazard suits as practically moving wallpaper and to hype up the fear of crime so that people are afraid to go out in the streets at night. He did not condemn the exercise, he condemned the use of the images for other uses.

• Question by: Diana Johnson
• Meeting date: 22 October 2003

It seems to me a rather sad reflection that that elected MSP has to clarify his comments. I think many people were offended by what he said. I think all of us around this table would say that it is absolutely right that we take the threat of terrorism seriously and we prepare for it. I am concerned that this seems to be another daft Green comment. I would like to seek a reassurance from the Mayor that if any daft comments are made about resilience that you will seek a reassurance from your Deputy Mayor that she distances herself...

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 22 October 2003

Actually the community that we represent on the Labour side is desperately anxious to see that we do achieve increased policing in London. I have a question in on Rotherhithe and although I know you do not like to go into too much detail about an area, I think that is just one example where there is real anxiety and concern that we should increase our police officers and numbers of wardens. Are you also aware that you also have the enthusiastic support of the Home Secretary to the moves that the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is undertaking to enhance...

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 22 October 2003

Mayor, are you aware that somebody else is making a comment on Tory policing policy? In fact, Ruth Henig, Chairman of the Association of Police Authorities, when she was referring to the Tory policy, said, and I quote, `these proposals do not amount to very much. The proposals seem to be gimmicky and do not address the real issues. They will not impact on the practicalities of policing." Ken, do you share my concern over the fact that the Tory Party in London and nationally has stepped out of the mainstream, stepped out of the consensus? Our understanding that we...

• Question by: Diana Johnson
• Meeting date: 22 October 2003

I am very pleased to hear about your support for the MPS step change proposal. I just wanted to probe a little further about your approach to lobbying Government for extra money. Obviously, there are many competing demands on that extra money. Exactly what approach are you going to take with the Government?

• Question by: Eric Ollerenshaw
• Meeting date: 22 October 2003

I would just like to know if the Mayor understands the term `increased efficiency'. To give him some examples of that, is the Mayor aware there are 800 trained police officers undertaking administrative functions in the Deputy Commissioner's command; that is the size of an inner London borough such as Val Shawcross's Southwark. Is the Mayor aware there are 500 trained police officers working in human resources? That is the size of Lewisham. Is the Mayor aware that the operational policing measure in London has shown only 33% of police in London are actually on the beat, and if you...

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 22 October 2003

Is Oxleas Wood the only environmental consideration when building a new road bridge?

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 22 October 2003

Last week, I went along to the Association meeting in Kennington talking about the Congestion Charge. Mr Hughes decided to tell everybody there that he had always had serious doubts about parts of the Congestion Charge which he had recorded at the time during the consultation period and he said were on record. He still has those doubts because they have not been answered. I was able to say to him, well, why is it that you did not share those doubts that you still have with your Liberal Democrat Chairman of the GLA Transport Committee, who after all in...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 22 October 2003

I think it is absolutely charming to hear both Labour Mayoral candidates discussing the Liberal Democrat prospects all morning. The manifesto will obviously be in detail. I applaud the wisdom of the Mayor in going ahead with the Muswell Hill to Swiss Cottage bus route. But what Simon Hughes actually said was about rationalising the level of services, it was not about cutting routes. I have a whole list here of where the Mayor himself has tried to rationalise the routes by reducing those services where they were less needed. So I think this is an absurd and ridiculous attack...

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 22 October 2003

You will probably be aware that the Transport and General Workers' Union are lobbying Parliament today because of their concern about transport spending in London and the effect it will have on bus workers' terms and conditions and job security. What message would you give to them today if you were at that? How much is their security at threat as a result of the budget problems within TfL?