• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 27 March 2002

Obviously that's a problem then if you are saying you don't think they are independent. The Mayor: I don't. John Biggs: You don't think the Health and Safety Executive are independent?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 27 March 2002

My question, Chair, was what have you actually asked Tony Blair to do? It's all very well saying the contracts are a nightmare but there has to be an alternative. The Liberal Democrats have championed the bond issue as an alternative. Have you asked Tony Blair to adopt that and thus to overrule his Chancellor?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 27 March 2002

Mr Mayor, while we support the final stage in the legal proceedings, Lynne Featherstone has made the point very well that public opinion, properly exercised through the ballot box, should ultimately trump the Law Courts and you should be leading Londoners in that. It is regrettable that you won't come out more strongly. We will have to accept for today your comment that Labour candidates will be damaged in the May local elections because of their and their Government's support for this. I wanted to ask you about the bond issue report, which, I am sure you will be aware...

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 27 March 2002

Will you publish the responses you get from all London Members of Parliament as a matter of urgency?

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 27 March 2002

You've sent the papers to the Prime Minister for his personal attention. Will you also send it to all Labour MPs in London for their attention?

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 27 March 2002

Given that what you say indicates quite clearly to most of us that you intend, more likely than not, to seek a judicial review of this decision, when do you anticipate that you are likely to be in a position to do that?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 27 March 2002

I think that's a no. Can I move on then to safety? Do you believe the Health and Safety Executive are an independent body?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 27 March 2002

Have they been subject to an independent review and analysis to demonstrate that they would be value for money?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 27 March 2002

Do you think your proposals are value for money for the Tube?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 27 March 2002

Will he have made his decision before St. George's Day in time to take action before the local elections, when it would be effective to concentrate the Government's mind? Or are you once again going to let it slide, just as you did when you let Bob Kiley take the Chair of London Underground before the General Election to get you over the difficult bit so you don't have to be seen fighting a Labour Government, which you bloody well ought to be doing at this point?