• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Thank you for that answer. It is with some disappointment that we hear it. I speak as the Chair of a cross-party committee. About the time of the launch, the committee asked me to put this question in, because we felt very strongly that Nolan principles of openness and accountability should be applied to the post of Chair. It seems that an agreement has been reached that does not preclude the appointment of a Chair through open advertisement. Since putting down the question, I have become aware of the discussions with the Association of London Government; but I feel sure...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Well, it isn't - that is not what she said at all. Let us hear what you have to say about how you are going to ensure diversity and representation of ethnic minorities and women on this new quango. Are we going to put that to the side for the first year, while you and the chaps get on with it? Let us hear what you have to say about that.

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Can I get a serious answer from you?

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

It is heartening to know that you are not ruling it out, but I feel that what you are describing is an officer working group rather than something with political accountability. I stress that I am not angling for the Affordable Housing Committee, or any of its Members, to have particular ongoing roles in this area; but I feel that the Association of London Government and other political structures - for example, within the London Housing Federation - need to be properly represented. It is at the political strategic level that some of the issues that we and the Housing...

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

When you answered an earlier question, you said that it was important that somebody - "namely, myself", in your words - was acting as an arbiter between these different interests. One of the accusations that is made against you, and perhaps against the position of the mayoralty, is that you are left very exposed to the views of a coterie of advisers that will lead to just your personal taste adversely transforming the building landscape of London. What can you say to assure us that you will not be swayed by a coterie, and that we do not end up...

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

You also regard yourself as the new Haussman of London, and you referred -

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

So not much was learned from the visits to the States. I don't suppose that people sitting on Capitol Hill, following a policy that it is important to build very tall buildings at key rail stations, would allow a tall building to be built on top of Union station, which would compromise views of Capitol Hill. I therefore wonder whether it is appropriate for us to accept a proposal like that of the Bishopsgate tower, which compromises views of another important domed building - St Paul's.

• Question by: Nicky Gavron
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Archway ward, which I represent for Haringey, was the pilot red route. We were all very hopeful that, with the advent of the GLA, the red route regime would be changed into bus priority and be a much friendlier regime. Your whole ambition to change the look and feel of London at the moment is not reflected in red routes. They are lined with barriers, which the old Department of Transport used to call "pens", to keep the pedestrians on the pavement. You usually have high kerbs and a plethora of signs. All the cues are that this is an...

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Not at all, Mr Mayor. You know that they are very prescient, so it would have been a case of looking to the future. However, since I am not in favour of CPZs, I am not so happy that you are agreeing with all the parking charges. However, they are prescient, and they will be tidying up an area in the hope that . . . You may not even bring in your charges, and we will be able to dismantle the whole thing.

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Thank you very much for that. I am pleased with most of what you have said. However, would you be able to consult local authorities first before you implement your red routes strategy in that area? Also, could you ensure that enforcement - the police are not particularly interested in this sort of enforcement, so we need to know who would do it - is sensitive and appropriate? I say that because it would be most unfortunate if a whole range of small businesses were to go out of business in small high-street areas where they support their communities, and...