• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 26 February 2003

But you're saying a financial package is in place, not will be in place.

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 26 February 2003

The first use of the volunteers might well be to lobby Government to pull their finger out and make the decision which, as you rightly say, is the critical factor. Can I ask secondly about the funding? On 23 January you said, "A financial package has been put in place" and you confirmed in the Telegraph only a week or so ago that you have agreed a funding package with Tessa Jowell. Could you do us the courtesy of telling what's in that funding package, especially since leaks would imply that the bill is going to be picked up by...

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 26 February 2003

30 January: decision not taken; 6 February: decision not taken; 12 February: decision not taken; 27 February, tomorrow: decision not to be taken on account of "the international situation". Are you able to explain why New York, who know a thing or two about the international situation, are able to take their decision; Madrid have taken their decision; the French are taking their decision tomorrow, and they have a word or two to say about the current international situation; Frankfurt is now getting in on the act? Isn't it about time, would you not agree, that the Government pulled its...

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 26 February 2003

We know you see the benefits. I am asking what discussions you have had about the funding. I am trying to cut to the chase. Is he happy? Yes or no?

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 26 February 2003

When was that meeting, roughly?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 26 February 2003

Which leaves me thinking there isn't a financial package in place.

• Question by: Eric Ollerenshaw
• Meeting date: 26 February 2003

That's good news.

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 26 February 2003

It's a good question about the population expansion because I think the capacity issue on transport is paramount, particularly with regard to the Tube. I think what you say about the Government having woken up to the infrastructure needed to support the Thames Gateway development, is more the Government having woken up to the fact that they need to meet their own housing targets. It leaves the rest of London in quite a severe bit of trouble. We recently published the Tube scrutiny report called Mind the Gap - advisedly called Mind the Gap. One of the standards that we...

• Question by: Victor Anderson
• Meeting date: 26 February 2003

You've said that Crossrail is essential to the London Plan but it's quite possible that Crossrail won't be delivered until right at the end of the Plan's period. What's the latest date that Crossrail could be delivered for it to provide what you want for the Plan?

• Question by: Eric Ollerenshaw
• Meeting date: 26 February 2003

In very simple terms, what is your honest opinion why we keep waiting in terms of a Government decision over these things? I accept that it's a massive amount of money and Gordon Brown's problems with his public finances but is that where you perceive to be the problem? It seems to me that we keep having these rumours that a decision is going to be made and a decision is not going to be made to the point where people are actually losing confidence that this will every happen.