• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 01 January 2001

Andrew Pelling: Thank you very much. I think that Toby's irony unfortunately is misplaced and misjudged because quite clearly it was an important issue for Croydon and remains one, bearing in mind the difficulties that the traffic police will have in servicing an area all the way across to Cheam from Catford when it takes half-an-hour for a car on a blue light to be able to reach an incident. So, it is not a matter for irony, although I am glad to say that the calibre of the letter that I received from the Commander explaining the reasons for...

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 20 December 2000

I agree with you that, in effect, that Government system imposes a supplementary stealth tax upon London's council tax payers. On the other hand, is it not also right that that was obvious from day one when you were setting the budget? I am concerned that, between you and the Government, Londoners will have this additional taxation placed upon them, which will bear particularly heavily upon those 30% of Londoners whose properties are in bands above band D, and therefore above the figures that you quoted. Would you not agree that it would be particularly insidious if these penalties were...

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 20 December 2000

Am I right in thinking that, by this proposed precept increase, the Mayor is likely to equal the record he set while Leader of the GLC; and do I take it that he is proud of that, rather than apologising? Secondly, did he think to consult the Association of London Government on the implications of this budget for the London boroughs and for council tax payers at borough level?

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 20 December 2000

We get a £1.2 million increase, which is the lowest.

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 20 December 2000

I would hate it if electors said to you, when you come up for election, "Mr. Mayor, you are the weakest link - goodbye." [Laughter.] London government has lost about £260 million since 1997. At the present time, local authorities across London are looking at something like a 12% increase in band D precept. If you add to that a 30% increase from the GLA, that will put some London local authorities into a very difficult position indeed: they may have to cut into major services, which I am sure you would not like to see them do. The Government...

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 20 December 2000

: I think I am hearing you right. You are saying that you based this year's budget on two conversations with my very good friends Val and Toby - they are good pals of mine, but I do not think that that in itself is sufficient - a press conference and probably a fag packet somewhere along the line as well. Do you think that that is an adequate way of raising the taxes for Londoners? Do you, for example, feel that it would be useful for us to have budget hearings with you, where we talk with your representatives...

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 20 December 2000

We remember that when, shortly after the election, you were handing our largesse and jobs to people on the Assembly and off the Assembly, you told the BBC that you could think of no one better than Lord Harris to get to grips with the MPA budget. Following your decision to give him the job, first of all we had the speech which told you to keep your nose out - a speech you described today as "offensive". We have had your description of the MPA's budget as "medieval", which they might find offensive. You felt the need to intervene...

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 20 December 2000

Ken, are you aware that the budget report to the MPA said: "After discussion with GLA officers, it has been assumed that the 60p increase" - that is, the increase that you said would be for the police - "would be applied fully to the police precept, ignoring the liability to meet council tax benefit subsidy cost." Is that statement correct - in other words, that the additional money will go fully to the police, and that you will absorb the £16 million cost of that part of the council tax subsidy elsewhere?

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 20 December 2000

I am grateful to the Mayor for that answer, and for his letter. As he rightly says, the activities of the pro-Real IRA at this public house led to National Front and Anti-Nazi League demonstrations, and to much use of police resources, which would be better spent fighting crime. Will he take this opportunity to condemn the activities of the so-called "real" IRA?

• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 20 December 2000

Will you rubbish the activities of dissident people from the Republic carrying out activities here in London?