• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Given that those responsible for racist and sexist behaviour in the force have often been responsible for homophobic behaviour as well, can you outline how homophobia is tackled as part of the programme of initiatives that Toby outlined?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

If an officer found the proposal morally repugnant, as indeed I do, and he refused the order to assist in the snatching of children from their parents, would he be subject to a disciplinary process?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

The Government recently proposed that the children of failed asylum seekers should be taken into care. What impact upon race and community relations do you think it would have to see Met officers assisting social workers in the Child Protection Agency as they forcibly remove these children from their parents? No doubt the parents would not surrender them willingly?

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

I am pleased to hear that you are so rigorous. The issue highlighted by the figures is that the numbers of those leaving the police is actually higher in the black and minority ethnic sector. Nearly 9% of such people are leaving, as opposed to nearly 6% who are actually part of the police force. What do you think accounts for that? How do you hope you will be able to change that? Do you think it will be changed by next April?

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

The other issue is whistle-blowing, when a junior officer perceives racism. How are procedures being put in place to ensure that whistle-blowing can happen?

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

I think Sir John's last point reassures me as regards the issue. I accept it in the spirit in which it is given. I hope that those responsible for distorting his words will reflect upon the damage that they have done to the Met's reputation. That is not a criticism of Sir John.

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

I find it quite extraordinary that we are two weeks away and we still get no more information about what advice you are giving the Mayor. The Mayor is coming back to us and saying that he is getting advice on safety from the Met, and it would be very useful for us to know and have that aired publicly so that we can be clear what that advice is.

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Yes, but on the Underground and not on the overground. I would like to go back to my previous question on New Year's Eve because I felt that there were some points that were not answered. I asked the Commissioner what advice he had given the Mayor on New Year's Eve. He said he was still negotiating. Last year we were told that it was a public order issue and very much a matter for the Met to take a decision on. I wonder what advice you are giving the Mayor and whether you are calling the shots or he...

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

This is a very big issue in parts of my constituency. I particularly want to raise Walthamstow Central where there is a very big problem which has recently escalated. I am not convinced that the co-operation is at the same level there. Is there any prospect of Operation Solstice being rolled out to Walthamstow Central? Do you feel that the role of tackling ticket touting is a role primarily for the BTP or for the Met, or do you feel that cooperation works or that the Met actually ends up taking more responsibility for it because they are more responsive...

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Would you accept that whilst there are indeed very good instances of joint working, the lack of resources available to the BTP, particularly on the overground railway network as opposed to those who are dedicated to the Tube system, means that generally it is impossible to sustain that kind of joint operation on a systemic basis on many of the railway lines in outer London? For example, I quote the persisting problem of vandalism on the Hayes line, which runs down through the London Borough of Bromley, where individual initiatives have worked for a short time but there have not...