• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 18 June 2003

I must say I did have some difficulty accepting the conclusion to Tube scrutiny that suggested you should set targets for crowding on the Underground, because I am not sure that could be achieved other than by banning people: only men one day of the week and whatever. Of course, there is an economic way of reducing crowding on the Tube through fares policy. I know it is a very difficult question for any Mayor, but is it not the case that were you to try to reduce Underground fares it would produce unacceptable levels of overcrowding on the Tube...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 18 June 2003

Well just take it from me that it is a good measurement.

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 18 June 2003

I am really glad you say you are going to be upfront and honest. If the Tube established a standard of four people per square metre, which is the same as the Paris Metro, do you think that is something you will be aiming for, whether it is provided by Crossrail taking surplus or whatever? Do you think that is a good benchmark?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 18 June 2003

There were nine in mine.

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 18 June 2003

This goes to a very interesting point. If you take overcrowding per se, one of the things that London Underground do, to justify not calling it overcrowding, is to measure overcrowding from both ends of the line and from first train in the morning to the last train at night. So they argue that there is no such thing as overcrowding. But if you average it out over the day you do not get the bit which you and I are talking about which is in the middle of the middle of the line in the morning. Do you agree...

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 18 June 2003

So for now we will have to assume that £330,000 is still pencilled in against this programme of events running up through polling day no doubt. What went wrong with the tendering exercise? Whose fault was it that the grand plans you had before have come to nothing?

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 18 June 2003

But that was already planned separately to the Gala Opening.

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 18 June 2003

I also welcome the fact that the tendering process went through for Trafalgar Square. I am just concerned that the fact that it did not tender would suggest that maybe there was something wrong with the specification. Because it would have been extraordinary if it did not happen. I wonder if you will take any action on that. When will there be a gala opening? Presumably, you are opening it officially in July, but will there be a gala opening some time after July? The money is in the budget.

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 18 June 2003

What about taxi congestion?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 18 June 2003

My question is related to Trafalgar Square. Would you not agree that there is going to be a problem about taxi congestion around this area? It is not that I have a problem with it; I totally disagree with Mike and I think it is an excellent piece of work and I am sure Londoners will love it once it has opened. Secondly, you just spoke about the Deputy Prime Minister. Given that you have worked so well on this initiative, will he be there to open the Square with you? Can you tell us how long after the Square...