• 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...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

We spend so much time hearing about the wonders of New York policing. Sir John, I have to say that you are on record as being supportive of New York policing, but their model is this model. It seems to me it is the model that many prospective Mayoral candidates may aspire to. In fact, Mr Norris is on record as saying that he would like part-time control of the MPA, he would like to appoint a director of crime, he would like to review the performance of borough commanders, and he would like to seek the right to appoint...

• Question by: Len Duvall OBE
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Given the diversity and complexity of the service, would it be sensible for one person to direct the MPS, appoint the Commissioner, chair the MPA and judge the performance of borough commanders?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

So you can discuss it in private and not report it?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Will he agree therefore to write to the Home Secretary and ask him to deduct from the Government's claim for credit the numbers of police that London's paying for?