• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

On congestion charging, you and I have established that getting it right is more important than rushing. You have already said that improving public transport must come first, but what is still very vague is what that means in terms of short-term improvements to buses. At the moment, there is no clear guidance on that, so there are no criteria by which to judge whether you have improved public transport first. Secondly, you will need police to enforce bus lanes. When this went to the MPA, there was some discussion of whether your priorities should have any priority there. How...

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

Are you aware, though, of the research showing that, although all new roads can generate increased traffic, river crossings do so to a considerably greater degree? Will you take that into account? Do we really need the sort of regeneration that is based on blighting local communities with more and more traffic, and causing excessive damage to our environment, rather than regeneration that is genuinely sustainable and looks to supporting local communities and protecting our environment?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

Before the election, you gave a pledge to people against the river crossing, and they said that you and I were equally wonderful during the campaign in opposing any road crossings. They want a guarantee, I think, that you are going to honour that pledge and not support any road crossings over the river.

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

On that basis, is it down to you, Mr Mayor, to organise celebrations in London for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002? If so, have you had any thoughts on the matter? I am happy to chair the committee if you are looking for a volunteer

• Question by: Eric Ollerenshaw
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

Would you regard £250,000, which I think is the cost of this events team, as somewhat high? If you did take it on, might you be able to get the cost down? Adding that to the £100,000 that you have for events and the £100,000 proposed for events for the cultural strategy group, what do you envisage the whole pot will be spent on? I assumed that the cost of the "real Millennium" celebrations this year was going to be met from outside.

• Question by: Toby Harris
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

I am particularly concerned about the details of the contract and why on earth we have to be funding it. Secondly, can we please have a list of exactly where the money is coming from and what services will be cut as a result?

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

Can you give us a detailed assessment of exactly where the money is coming from for the Hungerford Bridge?

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

It is interesting that you quote the figure of 88%, because I understand that that includes many informal agreements to use McDonald's branches, pubs and the like, which is not really an adequate solution. In addition, London Underground is currently causing problems for many bus drivers by refusing them access to their buildings, which in the past have been shared. There are health and safety issues both for the drivers of buses and for other bus staff, particularly for women - where there are health complications if there is a problem in using facilities. There are also issues for local...

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000