• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 24 May 2000

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 24 May 2000

May I ask the Mayor to check that answer? How is the Audit Commission the client of the District Auditor?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 24 May 2000

The role of the Assembly is as a scrutiny body and one of our principal functions in scrutinising is on the Mayor's budget. That too is the role of the District Auditor as the external auditor and I would have thought the principal relationship, therefore, is between the Assembly and the District Auditor. I am sure the Mayor has not yet had a chance to discuss this with the DA, but will we have discussions at an early stage, certainly before audit begins, as to exactly what our respective roles are?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 24 May 2000

If the Government does release the data, and it proves to be insufficient to substantiate the move, do you agree that this will be then a test of your power to speak for London?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 24 May 2000

Would you agree that the proposed changes in the index will disadvantage London's bid for SRB funding? And that the Government's refusal to reveal the criteria is absolutely unnecessary secrecy and moreover that this is actually a test of your power to stand up and be a voice for London to make sure that money goes to where people need it?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 24 May 2000

In light of the Mayor's sometimes late attendance at meetings and given the rumours that he has been hurtling around London in the backs of police vans in order to get to meetings, does he consider it is likely he will be reviewing his decision not to have a Mayoral car?

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 24 May 2000

I think I should follow that up if only because the Mayor made a commitment during his election campaign to help restore fire services which had been cut by the Government. May I receive a reassurance from him that that is still his stance and that he will use his influence to work with me to approach Valerie Shawcross to make sure we get our fire engines back in Hornchurch?

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 24 May 2000

I think there is an important principle being established here which will concern other people on the Assembly as well, and that is that if you have made a manifesto commitment I think you somehow have to direct the people who are running those services, to help to deliver that commitment. I am quite happy to work with Valerie on this in the first instance. We have worked together before on other things, but if there is a problem, may I be assured that I may come to you with the difficulty and maybe you will use your good offices...

• Question by: Victor Anderson
• Meeting date: 24 May 2000

Will you ensure that, when you do get this information from John Prescott, you will fully take it into account in drawing up the strategies, especially the economic development strategy and in particular the UK's obligations under the climate change convention to cut carbon dioxide omissions?

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 24 May 2000

Can you give me some idea about whether it will be in your first term, that the first network will be completed?