• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

The Chair: I know you do it deliberately. Many people would like to come in on this, but our procedures do not allow that, I am afraid. But it is an issue to which we shall return again and again unless everyone in the GLA family understands the importance of the boroughs - the central, fundamental, underpinning role they play. I do not think it is a question of letting you know if a meeting has been refused: the important thing is to understand their role right from the start. But please do not answer that, because I am not...

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

We had the ALG before the Transport Committee to discuss how they were working with Transport for London on the introduction of the congestion charge and they had a pretty awful tale of woe and misery to tell about the relationship. Following what Val said, there seems to be a complete lack of respect from you for the boroughs, and a lack of inclusion. Given that it is in the boroughs that implementation hits the people, they are the most important element in the success of the congestion charge. I have had complaints at all levels - not just from...

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

Bob Neill: When you publish the order on Monday or Friday setting out the exemptions - The Mayor: I am making the decision; it will take some days to get it into legal shape. The way I write things down does not stand up to legal scrutiny. It has to be tarted up by the lawyers. Bob Neill: I think that has been proved in the past. On the basis that you will be announcing your decision, it must follow that you will have had in mind the criteria on which you come to your view on exemptions. Will you...

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

Thank you, Chairman. Unlike Louise, I was traditionally educated, and I believe that the word denotes the job you do rather than your sex. You cannot move hospitals, police stations or fire stations out of central London. You argue that it is a price mechanism and you are responsible for the first bit but not for how it is met down the line. Have you done any work - if you have not, you should have done - on the cost to the National Health Service if you are expecting them to pay the costs that the nurses - along...

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

We are potentially in an unsatisfactory position, because you declare an order on, I think, 8 December, and following that, the scope for you to change the exemptions will be very limited. Is that the case?

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

There are a number of supplementaries on exemptions from other Members, but as a principle, many people are beating a path to your door to seek an exemption. As Labour Members we recognise that some are well meaning but probably not appropriate, but others are probably important. Can you tell us about the process you will follow to identify and accept the cases for exemptions?

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

I welcome the acceptance in your reply that there are problems, shall we say - cultural problems, perhaps management problems - in the way in which TfL are dealing with this. I asked you whether you were prepared to assert your role as Chair, presumably using Bob Kiley as the Commissioner, to make sure that they are ironed out. It is not just a question of a few individuals getting it wrong at a few consultation meetings. There is a cultural issue, as you say, with the old way of working, which is autocratic and does not listen. Are you...

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

Speaking as a member of the party that has been on this case not just since day one but for many years previously, I am concerned that the scheme should work without a huge number of discounts which could make it potentially unworkable. It is my impression - this is anecdotal, of course - that the majority of people at public meetings are with you on this. They see congestion as a huge problem and they want something done. This is the only thing on the agenda, and they are prepared to go along with you on it. Therefore, can...

• Question by: Sally Hamwee
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

Can I ask you about two matters which are perhaps not the subject of consultation, so you may be able to comment on them today. Are you happy, first, that the technology will work; and secondly, that the congestion charge will not lead to more congestion in the boundary area?

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

Let us be clear: you are open to hearing from individual Members about concerns within their areas?