Search questions

• 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: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Perhaps I can come in as the person whose constituency actually includes Crystal Palace. Surely, it would be a pretty untenable Olympic bid that had no role for the one venue in London which is capable of dealing with grand prix athletic sports events. Can I ask again, what specific role do you envisage Crystal Palace playing a) in the run-up to the Games, b) during the Games, and c) as part of the legacy?

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

I am afraid you did not, that is why I am pressing you.

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

I am afraid your comments sit rather ill with those of the Mayor when he visited Bromley and told both the Bromley local papers that he saw Crystal Palace as being `within the Olympic footprint'. And he went on to say `My preference is for it to be part of the Olympic site." Clearly, you and the Mayor are at variance on that one.

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Well, I find that a more constructive exchange, if I may say, because it may be, Ms Cassani, that you are not aware that there has been some very constructive dialogue going on between all the parties. And the more that that is fed into your bid team the more we are likely, I suspect, to get together the sort of joined-up approach that we all want to see as far as Crystal Palace is concerned. Perhaps we can pursue it further elsewhere.

• 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?