• 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?

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

This whole debate shows up the problem of Liberal Democrat campaign tactics in that it might be saying completely contradictory things in different parts of London, which might be a wonderful way of winning council seats but it is no way to run the Mayoralty as Mayor of London. Would you not agree?

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

I am tempted to pursue a transport line but I cannot resist a political question, which is that I have observed the Liberal Democrats at close quarters for many years. I helped to defeat them in Tower Hamlets when they were involved in the borough. What concerns me is that Simon Hughes is an inner London Liberal Democrat. They try to steal Labour votes but then they carry out Tory policies. Outer London Liberal Democrats try to steal Tory votes and then carry out Labour policies or mimics of those. I think Londoners get very confused about what they are...

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

Consistent and visionary, and we will be overtaking not only Nicky but Simon probably soon anyway. Do you not also agree that you will have to be a bit more careful in terms of consistency come the next campaign? I remember you telling one campaign meeting on the subject of road bridges in East London: `If I am Mayor that bridge will be built over my dead body. They would have to bury me in the first block of concrete before it went ahead.'