• 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?

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

I am very pleased to hear about the training and re-skilling, because many of the people we are talking about have skills particularly related to the air industry, and that may be necessary. But we are not talking just about airlines, of course. At a major airport, there are a huge number of other local support industries - catering, cleaning, engineering and so on. They are included in the package you are considering, are they?

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

Can we be clear: you will be talking to the LDA about establishing criteria in order to respond - one hopes, never again to such a catastrophe - and take rapid decisions? In this instance, you did not talk to the LDA before you took the decision?

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

I thank the Mayor very much for a very full answer - very unwelcome news, but very welcome action to deal with it. I wanted to focus particularly on the aviation industry and Heathrow in particular, and I am pleased you mentioned that. You are probably aware that last year 68,000 people were employed at Heathrow. That makes it a major industry for London, with all the associated economies. Can you tell us more about your discussions with Ministers and others, and what specific support you are seeking for the aviation industry in general in London, and Heathrow in particular?