• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

Waste is a complex issue, and it was ever a complex issue. It was complex a year ago, and the issues that are now being mooted in the waste strategy were present a year ago. Why has it taken you a year and four changes in the date of publication to get to where we are today?

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

So we know the reasons - the Mayor gave some of them earlier. Part of the reason is that at least two people around this table think that the strategy is seriously flawed. Why is it seriously flawed, and in what areas?

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Moving on, would the Mayor support the use of Hyde Park for other events? I am thinking, for example, of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Well, it will not be yours personally. Presumably you are talking about Londoners generally.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Were it to go to Hyde Park, already considerable concern has been expressed by groups such as Friends of Hyde Park, who are worried about the clear-up operation afterwards. They have particular responsibilities to the public because of picnics and so on. Who would be liable for the cost of clearing up?

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Surely one of its great advantages is that it would cause considerably less disruption to traffic on key roads into London simply to move it across one road to get it into Wormwood Scrubs; whereas to move it from Notting Hill along Bayswater and into Hyde Park would cause considerable disruption to some very major arterial roads. I am also thinking not only about the north but about the south side, because some people might think it was easier to skip the first part and join the party at the end, and would be attempting to enter Hyde Park from...

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

No, but I have therefore always recognised that you respect his views enormously. I rather agree with him that Wormwood Scrubs has a charm all of its own. [Laughter.] I often walk my dogs there, so I know it well.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

You mentioned Simon Jenkins's article. I read it, too. I had always had the impression that you enormously respected Simon Jenkins. You told me at our first meeting that you had thought of asking him to stand as one of your candidates against me in London West Central.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

Thank you very much.

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 28 February 2001

You will have seen the leader in the Standard either last night or the night before, which broadly supports many of the things you have been talking about. But it makes the point that, if we are to be genuine about giving Bob Kiley a chance, and if your own commitment to standing back and letting him take a lead is genuine, surely you have to give an unequivocal commitment that he is able to do so wholly free from any political interference. Would not the clearest way in which you can do that be by saying unambiguously that you...