Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM: Thank you. I have three specific questions I would like to ask you. To fulfil your vision, your modelling shows you are going to need a nursery in place by 2020 and another two years later. I am pleased you have made progress on this in your work. We are rapidly approaching 2018 now. Are you confident the funding is going to be in place and that they will be completed on time?
Given the extensive political opposition to a third runway at Heathrow and the inevitable legal and planning challenges that will arise it is almost certain expansion is unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future at Heathrow. In light of these realities do you believe sufficient attention has been given to improving surface transport to ensure that the significant spare air capacity at existing airports in the south east is fully utilised.
Mr Mayor, can I raise the issue of sectarian tensions in London from the Middle East conflicts between Sunni and Shia? I welcome the comments you made to Andrew Boff AM that you do not want to see international disputes come to the streets of London. In the past 15 months I have seen a number of incidents which concern me. The first was raised by Lebanese businesses on the Edgware Road about Anjem Choudary’s [cleric] mob inciting clearly religious hatred aimed at Shias. It was dealt with as a public order offence but an opportunity was missed to deal...
I know that borough leaders are aware of this, and perhaps there can be some liaison with the boroughs, as well, through the Association of London Government (ALG).