• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

You will remember that, at Mayor's Cabinet, you and I had a go over the plight of business in London and the downturn in sales. The LDA promised that the incentives would be announced within a few days, but I have not seen anything for small businesses. Can you tell us when we might see this before Christmas, because the argument was that Christmas is when most small businesses rely on making money to last through the year to an extent?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

Certainly we would want to keep British people coming to see their capital city. The trouble is that, once American tourists come back, I suspect that prices will then rise for hotel rooms and so on: they can afford to pay, and people in Britain cannot. There are very few people in Britain on average incomes who can afford to stop at a central London hotel.

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

Like Graham, I welcome the emphasis on promoting London tourism to the domestic market. Do you see that as a short-term measure to deal with the current crisis, or part of a longer-term vision? While the international tourist market is highly lucrative, there is a danger that, in the past, we have put far too many eggs in one basket, and it is subject to all sorts of variations because of the global economy, the fickleness of American tourists over terrorist threats and so on. Do you see this greater emphasis on the domestic market as part of a longer-term...

• Question by: Eric Ollerenshaw
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

And that will take you all the way through to your election campaign?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

The congestion charge is a business expense, although, strangely, I suspect, many businesses will be able to deduct it from their tax bill; so it will be neutral. Nevertheless, it will reflect on wider business confidence in London. In the event that the London economy does face difficulties, is that a material factor that you will take into account in deciding whether to go ahead with the congestion charge?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

Can I congratulate you, Mr Mayor, on your chutzpah? [Laughter.] You are openly and actively supporting a multi-billion-pound company whose privatisation you opposed when you were wearing your own clothes rather than the invisible ones of the Emperor. I am staggered by your breathtaking damn cheek, to be honest. The Mayor: It's engaging, though, isn't it? [Laughter.] Richard Barnes: Only from a cheeky chappie. Here you are supporting them, and last night - I do not know whether you did it on the "Today" programme this morning as well, because I did not listen to it - you were advocating...

• Question by: Eric Ollerenshaw
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

A very strange animal that would produce. So you deny the rumour that you have given the nod to this merger, on the grounds that your cronies among the business community will then keep supporting you all the way to the next election campaign?

• Question by: Eric Ollerenshaw
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

So far as I know, there is only one proposal on the ground for an EGM by the London Chamber to have this joint body. Your statement that you support the joint body will be interpreted as you supporting the merger on the existing terms, because there are no other choices.

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

As someone who has harassed you over the last year about the cultural and theatre needs, can I congratulate you on the work you are doing now? The Mayor: Thank you. Jennette Arnold: My group will certainly stay on the case, and say that this is a key area. We would welcome some evaluation of the work done, but we would like to see this as a long-term activity to which you as Mayor were committed. I have a question about your report: could you assure us that, with the sad departure of Cheryl Carolus as South African High Commissioner...

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

Good; that is welcome. In terms of tourism, what is being done specifically to encourage more visitors to London from elsewhere in the United Kingdom?