• 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?

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

My question is put on behalf of Meg Hillier, who could not be here. As you know, Mr. Mayor, she has been on top of this issue from day one. We are talking about the buffer zones and the anomalies within it. You will have to deal with that. I would like to ask you a little more about the "how", in reference to a particular community. The boundary currently cuts through a parking zone in south Islington. You say that you do not know how it can be done. I do not know what your officers are doing, but...

• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

Or choosing not to work in London, and therefore having an effect entirely the reverse of what you are trying to do.

• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

By your very action, you will be imposing an extra cost on Londoners, so when taxpayers as a whole have to fund increases in London allowance for civil servants, businesses and so on, which will then be passed on to consumers, it will be you who has added to that cost, which you will then want to recover from the taxpayer at large.

• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 21 November 2001

Would you address yourself to the question about passing on this tax?

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

You don't make the usherettes pay to go to work in a cinema, do you?