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• Reference: 2003/0301
• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

What role do you see for the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace in the Olympic bid? .

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Thank you, Chair. I have two quick points. One is the size of the stadium, because there is some speculation that because it is only required to be so large for the opening ceremony that if the opening ceremony were done differently then the stadium could be smaller. I wonder if you can comment on that possibility or where your thinking is on that? Secondly, there is the issue of legacy funding, particularly for sporting groups in London. I know it is not a requirement for the technical bid questionnaire for January, but have you had any thoughts yet about...

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

I just want to persist with this question of the opportunity to complement what is happening with engaging more people and many more young people in sporting activity and making much better use of the existing facilities. We have lost 27 of London's 39 lidos. We have lost nine swimming pools. We have lost six square kilometres of playing fields. We are still losing these sorts of facilities at the moment. It is very important to know from you how you will promote the use of existing facilities and what share of the £1.2 billion we will get.

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Do you agree that the prospect of the closure of the facility next spring provides a real risk in terms of damaging our bid or our reputation? Do you look to the various members of the GLA family to be supportive in trying to resolve this rather knotty problem? I will ask a second question, if it does not get in the way of others. You mentioned the remoteness of Crystal Palace. Does this then mean that the area I represent of Croydon and Sutton is regarded as being a place that is remote from the Olympic process? Does that...

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

I made the mistake of asking two questions at one time. My first question, in terms of looking to the GLA family to be supportive, and maybe make some intervention, what degree of risk do you see for our Olympic bid if Crystal Palace closes in March next year?

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Just one quick point. There is an arena potentially being built in Croydon that provides one place for sports facilities, and we have many lovely hills which are good for cyclists to tackle.

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Actually TfL are visiting Hackney next week. I just want to bring it back to the IOC questionnaire that has to detail any opposition. Perhaps Barbara could comment on that?

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Absolutely. Sorry, I do not want to interrupt you, but I understand that and I know what is going on enough to be able to communicate to people who contact me. But there is no reason why they cannot know the information that was all shared with us at the two-day session last week, for instance.

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

But even up to and before then, every time I went to a briefing there was information, but it is about it being out there in the public domain. If it is not out there people worry that there are these hidden secrets.

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

With regard to the future Candidature Committee where you have to identify members in the questionnaire, have you thought about how to involve the people? One of the strengths, which again the Mayor has highlighted, is the unique selling point of London having a diverse community and people need a place in it. I like the `friends of the bid'. Have you given any contemplation, or can I talk to you further, about the idea of a mutual set up where people buy a membership of the company in effect?