• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 19 June 2002

Thank you for that answer which sets a really broad canvas and your commitment to actually work with the LDA and others. The problem is that when I was working on this question I came across a quote made by your senior economic advisor, John Ross, and it caused me some concern and confusion. At a lunchtime briefing in April, John Ross said that economic development should be focused on the financial and business services. He was quite unequivocal about this. And then added that any work in other sectors is merely tinkering with detail and any attempt to revive...

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 19 June 2002

Just to get an absolute answer on the evaluation. It's not the funding. We agree with you on the funding and indeed you agree with us on the funding. It's about taking a lead on getting together at a regional level and an objective, independent, transparent assessment of all the regeneration funding schemes, however funded. That's what we need.

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 19 June 2002

Mr Mayor, can I take you back to your first answer, where you talked about the need to decide where to put our regeneration focus? The question of whether regeneration schemes and public sector intervention in the economy should back winners or focus on increasing the chances, if you like, of existing losers has bedevilled the question of regeneration funding since day one. You will be familiar with the Assembly's Rebuilding London's Future Report which you helped to launch. Can I remind you of recommendation four, where we said that an assessment was urgently needed at a regional level of...

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 19 June 2002

We will come to that in due course, Mr Mayor, but we are talking about the business support at the moment. If you look at Park Royal partnership, that can be deemed as a success. However, it is to be linked, we believe or we're not quite sure, with Wembley. So, the future of that particular construction is nebulous at the moment. Action Acton is cutting back on its community support, which is having a major impact within our schools and families that desperately need support. The Southall Regeneration Partnership dies in a year's time. Hayes and West Drayton partnership...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 19 June 2002

Yes, but would you agree that a statement like that is negating and does cause confusion? Because people are actually listening to and judging your position from what your advisor is saying. So, that is something that I'm sure we'll come back to time and time again and that is we want to see less of a gap between what you're saying your vision is to what your advisors are saying. My next point is you've talked about the work of the LDA, you've talked about Business Link, but we hear very little about the discussions that you're having with...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 19 June 2002

He did say that a loss of pedestrian time would be unacceptable.

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 19 June 2002

I'm glad you gave such a categorical denial of any of the accusations by the Tories because I think their campaign does nothing to help the success of congestion charging for London. However, Derek Turner gave a very robust explanation, much in the same vein as yours, to the Transport Committee yesterday. On the ring road itself - and I have been here with you before in a similar forum so to speak - where you're saving time on the radial routes, the plan is to give the benefit of that extra time to the boundary road to facilitate the...

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 19 June 2002

I think we're losing focus here a bit, because let's remember that there are seven million pedestrians here in London that these measures are designed to help. And those seven million people actually do vote as well, which I'm sure the Mayor is well aware of. I'm very concerned that you get the message that this is for pedestrians and that this is actually helping the business of London. It will also help the tourist trade. Now, something you mentioned briefly was the whole idea about the lane rental. How are you going to roll that out across London, because...

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 19 June 2002

I have to say that the way you have responded to this is basically about as transparent as your new City Hall building.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 19 June 2002

I would be absolutely delighted to do so, but on this occasion I am concerned about the interests of the motorists and would you just at least say to me at businesses who have to get around, that you are feeling relatively concerned about the effect you're going to be having on the ability of people to get around London in their normal day, doing their normal business.