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

I know that, during the election campaign, the Mayor went to an event organised by the London Canals Committee, which has representation in the boroughs crossed by canals. In this new super-efficient structure devised by the Government for London's government, where does he actually see the London Canals Committee eventually fitting in?

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

• Question by: Trevor Phillips
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

I do not know whether the news you have been given, Ken, is that lorry drivers are blockading Parliament Square. Perhaps you are glad that the responsibility for squares does not start till 1 October.

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

I am concerned that, having told me at our last meeting that we would get an idea of the phasing in September, you are now talking about an announcement "this year". Why has there been that slippage?

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

Will you approach London MPs of all parties to work with you in lobbying the Minister, and if need be, supporting any motions in the House of Commons to get him to look at this again?

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

Would you agree that that is a wholly unsatisfactory way for any Secretary of State to treat the nation's capital? Would you agree too, as I think you have observed to the press, that the resulting index is seriously flawed and likely to do serious harm to London and Londoners? Bearing that in mind, in addition to the steps you are already taking, will you consider whether the process of consultation was so flawed as to be susceptible of judicial review; and will you join us in condemning the high-handed attitude of the Secretary of State in ignoring well argued...

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

What level of response will you be looking for in order to ensure that the consultation is valid?

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

That sounds not a very healthy response - shall we say, about 5%. Looking at a transport strategy steering group progress report that happened to find its way into my hands, I see that one of the issues flagged up to you says: "To date, very few of the questionnaires on congestion charging or the general transport strategy have been returned - 3% of the questionnaires to the strategy. Although we were anticipating late returns, a very low response rate invalidates the analysis. Even though we are chasing responses, there may be a need for urgent advertising to raise profile."...

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 13 September 2000

Does this not demonstrate that you do not value London's heritage?

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

Your oft-repeated obsession with tall buildings - leaving aside the possible psychological connotations - is in danger of unbalancing the debate about planning and building in London. I know that one committee I am on has requested this, but will you be making a formal statement, which would not need to fetter your discretion, on the sorts of priorities that will guide you in planning decisions in future? If London is seen as a free-fire zone for tall buildings, although they may have their place in certain areas, in others they will be a serious blot and a serious problem...