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• Question by: Dee Doocey
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

There has to be something ready, and you must engage with Londoners.

• Question by: Dee Doocey
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Still, even in what you have just described, you have not mentioned any interaction with the people on the ground ' the businesses ' at this stage. You are talking about consulting the boroughs and consulting other stakeholders. I would have thought that at this stage, you need the information from the people who are going to be looking for the contracts, and who are going to be producing it. I find it quite difficult to get information. If I could, I will address the next bit to Tony (Winterbottom, Executive Director, Regeneration & Development, LDA), rather than you. Tony...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Sorry, it is not about percentages. It is just: are you saying that there is a commitment and that we will not see boards made up of white men in suits?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

It is just a quick one following on from the issues John (Biggs) has raised. This is about representation and perception. The ethnic diversity of London was, quite rightly, acknowledged within the bid, and our presentation team and the inclusion of the athletes made the work to date, if you like, ethnically representative. It does, however, concern me that if you look at the people now lining up to sit in the seats of power ' the ODA, LOCOG, the Olympic Board ' all I expect to see is white men in suits. Are you as concerned as I that...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Thank you for that answer, Mayor, but I have three areas on which I would just like to pin you down. Can I just start with cultural education. I welcome that announcement that you have just made about the commitment following the Games for the maintenance of the Park, because it seems to me that we can judge whether an Olympics was successful in two ways: the gold medals and all their absolute wonder of the sport, and also we judge when we look back at where the Olympic Games were held, and what it is like there following the...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

I am sure you will get a lot of support for that position. Can I just move on then to health? Currently, Londoners are less physically active than the average for England, and certainly, London's children and young people have a higher level of obesity than other regions in England. A health impact assessment study commissioned by the London Health Commission has demonstrated the potential for the longer-term health benefits of hosting the Olympic Games. Could you just tell us, briefly, how can you ensure that these are delivered? What about health? How can we get the legacy for a...

• Question by: Dee Doocey
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

I know. I am not saying that you are not going to write wonderful strategy papers saying how marvellously the whole thing will work. What I am actually looking for is for you to talk to people, talk to London companies, and engage in debate with them. It is the same thing; it is the blue-sky thinking, the strategies, but where is the action?

• Question by: Dee Doocey
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

I am terribly sorry to interrupt you, but the problem is you are probably not aware that the longer you speak, the less time I have.

• Question by: Dee Doocey
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

Fine, but just can you please tell us about it, because if I do not know, what chance is there that local builders know? Can I just make one final point: speed is of the essence. The Construction Industry Training Board estimate that 88,000 recruits are needed over the next five years ' not in 10 years' time, but over the next five years. You need to get your act together, and you need to get your act together now. Bob Blackman (AM): To build on those questions: the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had a key concern, which was the...

• Question by: Dee Doocey
• Meeting date: 08 September 2005

I am sure you could.