• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 20 November 2002

I note that you are refusing to answer that question.

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 20 November 2002

That's not what we are asking.

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 20 November 2002

I am not asking the Mayor to denounce anybody. I'm just asking him to firmly support the Chair of LFEPA, who has been quite clear and straightforward in her position, that there is no need for a strike at this time in London or anywhere else because of the Bain Enquiry. Will the Mayor support that view, expressed by his Chairman of LFEPA, or not?

• Question by: Trevor Phillips
• Meeting date: 20 November 2002

The Chair invited the Mayor to comment.

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 20 November 2002

Can I ask you what advice the Health and Safety Executive has given about the continued operation of the London Underground?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 20 November 2002

Mr Mayor, you said, in your view, only a few Underground drivers will take the view that it's not safe to drive and implied from that you believe the vast majority of drivers do believe the Underground system is safe to operate during a fire-fighters' strike. Is that your view and, more particularly, is that the advice you have received from those who know better than any of us? Because I am concerned that you should give reassurance, not so much to the drivers, but to the Underground users that use of the Underground during a fire-fighters strike is safe...

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 20 November 2002

Okay, so let's translate this then to Docklands Light Railway staff. Has Bob Kiley advised you that Docklands Light Railway staff who absent themselves for that reason should not be considered in breach of their contract?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 20 November 2002

Graham Tope: I did get the right Bob; it's Bob Kiley, not Bob Crow. John Biggs: I am interested to follow in that line of questioning to the Mayor, and to ask whether Bob Kiley has advised him that the correct approach is that individual members of staff on the Underground, who choose to absent themselves because of fears for their safety, should not in any way be considered to be in breach of their contracts.

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 20 November 2002

All right, so you will not take the advice of the Health and Safety Executive, you certainly won't take the advice of the London Underground management, as you make clear to us every time you come here; whose advice will you take on safety matters?

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 20 November 2002

Did the FBU have sight of the terms of reference before the review actually started or not?