• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

We have a later motion about this question of the nationalisation of the national functions, so we will perhaps return to that. However, certainly one of the attractions of going down that route is to get the clarity and funding so that people can see what is going on. If the Government is not being clear and is expecting Londoners to pay for national responsibilities, then that is one of the reasons we are looking at that, certainly from my side. Toby says that he goes and has his cosy chats with the Home Secretary in a low-key sort of...

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

I will return to the politics of the situation in a moment. Firstly, can I ask Sir John for his professional take on the situation? Previously you were eloquently talking about the national responsibilities of the Met and our specific grant covering those of £200 million or so, is rising by 2.5%, less than the rate of inflation. I would really welcome your insight as to what you think the Government is up to. Given the stress we are under in London because of our national and international responsibilities why does central Government not seem to be recognising that, from...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 22 January 2003

Ken, I would like to take you back to the question about the A406 in north London. What we simply want from you is a confirmation that there is both political will and an understanding within TfL that on this section of the A406, action must be taken, and ASAP. What I think is important for people to hear, is that you and TfL are seeing it, if you like, wider than just a widening of the road. Really, what we want in north London is a package of measures and what we want to see is where this is...

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

That's the total. What is the percentage outside London?

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

Can you give me an answer, please, on what percentage of your total advertising budget is going to be spent outside London?

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

I am thinking about people who may be bringing elderly relatives to hospital, all sorts of things. People who have rung me have no idea what to do, who to contact. They thought it was going to be the Post Office and now, of course, we know it's not going to be the Post Office. Since that's gone they don't know where to go. I am wondering if you are giving serious consideration to advertising in the national newspapers or across the ITV network to make sure that it's not just Londoners that know about it. Otherwise, they are going...

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

Through London, I'm talking about outside London.

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

Having not told me that, perhaps you would like to go further and tell me, of that amount that you're spending on advertising, what is the percentage that is being spent on advising people of this scheme and what they should do in order to get in contact with the right people and buy their passage in from outside the London area? I am getting lots of calls now from people who live way away from London who haven't got a clue. I am wondering what you're spending in terms of promoting what they should do outside the London area.

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 22 January 2003

It would not cost you very much to do something like complete the London Cycle Network or even start to think about an Orbirail network. These things would actually benefit Londoners. A member of each of the political groups here have just been to Paris and the difference there is that the political will exists to fund these things. Here in London the political will doesn't exist.

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

But there is no actual money for amelioration if unexpected difficulties arise?