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• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 14 March 2007

It is just that you are making comments to us like, `It is good to go to New York because tourists spend a huge amount of money in London'. The implication is if the Mayor did not go to New York the tourists would not come to London. What actual value is that adding?

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 14 March 2007

You could not have given those assurances on the phone?

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 14 March 2007

I would like to say right up front I am not trying to score any points here, I would just like some progress. I am well aware that my name is on this list of people who have flown on behalf of the Mayor. What weight is given in the planning for whether or not to take trains rather than planes? It is clear that, for example, two people at least have gone to MIPIM [international property event] in Cannes this week, and the LDA automatically booked a flight because apparently you have to book a long way ahead. So...

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 14 March 2007

Just to slightly pursue some of the answers that we have had here. When you are planning a Mayoral visit - and, Mr Ross, you are an economist - what value do you place on a Mayoral visit, on average?

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 14 March 2007

I have one more question if you do not mind. I suppose what I would like to see is some really positive and clear climate change advantage from each trip; if you are going to fly, then get some real advantage from it. That is the sort of offsetting that I could accept. Are you concerned at the fact that flights by GLA people have increased more than threefold since 2001, because this does not fit with the Climate Change Action Plan? Are you going to reconsider this policy?

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 14 March 2007

I do understand the rationale for what you are doing. However, if you have this cheaper oil it takes the pressure off in a way from looking for other alternatives, whether it is LPG or bio fuels, and this could actually slow down real progress on climate change adaptation.

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 14 March 2007

Are you aware that the Green view of carbon offsetting is that it is actually just like a system of medieval indulgences? You pay the money and you actually still commit the sin.

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 14 March 2007

My mistake. Let's talk about Brazil anyway. Brazil has actually got massive amounts of bio fuel from sugar cane. Why hasn't have some sort of arrangement with them, rather than polluting oil?

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 14 March 2007

Well you have not done it on the environment so far have you? I was using examples from elsewhere to show that you do not do it in this case.

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 14 March 2007

We have been quite critical about your Venezuelan oil deal, and I know the Mayor went to Brazil.