• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

So you would accept that you could not reassure Londoners, despite the fact that you are the anointed one, that the Mayor has laid his hands upon you and that he has given you full powers?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

I don't doubt the Mayor tells you if he's dissatisfied, but is there a formal performance appraisal process?

• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

I was not suggesting anything like that. I was asking you what real decisions you would make. Despite the marvels of modern communication, it seems unlikely that it would be possible to communicate, even with your literary skills, precisely what was happening here in London to the Mayor, and the chances are therefore that you would have to make some decisions on your own. What kind of decisions would they be? Indeed, what decisions have you made on your own?

• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

I'm trying to find out what powers you actually have when the Mayor is away. Supposing there was a 11 September situation, for example a plane crashed into the House of Commons, the Mayor was in Australia, all flights were postponed, as they were after 11 September, and there's you, in London, in charge. What actions could you take in such a situation?

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

A friend of mine in the Foreign Office tells me that they find it virtually impossible to get foreign visitors in to see the Mayor. I understand he's declined to see the Mayor of Shanghai and the Mayor of Buchares

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Is it not extremely bad practice to accept an engagement and then drop out at the last minute?

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

If you were declining something for the Mayor, would you put it in the Deputy Mayor's diary, or do you consider her diary too busy?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Are you subject to a formal appraisal scheme, at all?

• Question by: Sally Hamwee
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

I think that is very helpful. We will pursue all of that. Finally, you mentioned the fact that you are politically restricted and you can't work for a political party. Presumably, while the Mayor is an independent, you can campaign for him. If he rejoins the Labour party, should we assume that you then can't campaign for him, or do you need to take advice on that?

• Question by: Sally Hamwee
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Thank you. Can I move on to mayoral approvals? You've mentioned the Budget Committee. How should the Budget Committee find out whether you have signed a form, and indeed whether you've discussed it with the Mayor?