• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 15 November 2000

So that is quite a lot of help, or information.

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 15 November 2000

Yes, this issue is important, is it not, in terms of Londoners' health, and also in terms of boroughs having their own discretion? Bearing in mind that there is a tremendous variation in the rapidity of rubbish collection, between collection twice a week in some inner London boroughs and, at the other extreme, Sutton, where perishable rubbish is collected only once a fortnight, it would be useful if we gave some guidance to those who take that risk with public health.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 15 November 2000

Certainly on this side of the political divide, we welcome the arrival of Mr Kiley in London; and I think you should be congratulated on catching such a big fish to come and sort out the problems in London's transport. I am sure that he will have greater skills in doing that than the Deputy Prime Minister has. However, we have concerns, which were expressed in the Opposition Day debate in the House of Commons earlier this week, that there seems to be an unnecessary - I might say unacceptable - amount of secrecy in the way in which the...

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 15 November 2000

As the Mayor knows, in the debate that he attended the other day, which was precipitated by the Opposition, and rather fell flat on its face, the Government clearly welcomed the appointment of a man with the track record of Bob Kiley, expressed their desire to work with him, and confirmed that he had been given all manner of confidential information, subject to a confidentiality clause - which I suspect means that he should not disclose it to you, but I do not know. I would take issue with your assertion that this matter is now suddenly only about safety...

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 15 November 2000

We too welcome Bob Kiley's appointment; congratulations again on getting such a big fish. Do you think there is a positive role for the Labour group here, as well as yourself, in persuading the Government to release the PPP information; or do you think that they are too interested in clinging to the wreckage of Frank Dobson's election manifesto on PPP? [Laughter.]

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 15 November 2000

Have you discussed with Mr Kiley the possibility that, were the Government in the end to proceed with PPP rather than the bonds that you prefer, he would be able to work with those PPP plans, despite the fact that he has made it fairly clear that he would prefer to do what he did in New York with a bond issue?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 15 November 2000

Given the tenor of the whole of today's meeting, can you assure us that membership of this Assembly will not drive us to hard drink?

• Question by: Toby Harris
• Meeting date: 15 November 2000

Is it not the case, however, that you, and conceivably Members of the Assembly and the Advisory Cabinet, are taking or influencing major decisions on the future of London? Would it not be in the interests of Londoners that we could all demonstrate that we are doing so unimpaired by the effects of hard drugs and other substances?

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 15 November 2000

This question arose from a visit I paid to pensioners in London a couple of weeks ago. They told me that, in their experience, old people are often seen as helpless victims of crime, and almost as victims of circumstance. What steps do you think we can take to change that perception?

• Question by: Toby Harris
• Meeting date: 15 November 2000

The second part of Roger Evans's question is about taking account of the needs of older Londoners in each of your strategies. I have just seen a survey which accords with my prejudices, or certainly with my information from around London. It shows that pensioners are more concerned about the depredations of cyclists on pavements than about street crime. What measures will be contained in your transport strategy to stop the totalitarians on two wheels from interfering with pedestrians, particularly elderly people?