Select Committee on Communities and Local Government Committee Minutes of Evidence


Examination of Witnesses (Questions 320-322)

MR BOB NEILL AND MR RICHARD DERECKI

27 MARCH 2006

  Q320  John Cummings: Have you anything specific in mind, in relation to strengthening London's influence with central government?

  Mr Neill: Yes. I think, if the funding were devolved, for a start, that would be a major plus. A lot of influence, of course, depends ultimately upon political clout, does it not. If London were able to raise and retain more of the revenue it needs to fund its own services, clearly that would be very significant clout indeed, if the Mayor not only was able to build on his prudential borrowing but was able, let us say, to pilot something that captured the value of tourism in London, uniquely, in terms of revenue, if we were able to look at a significant municipal bond issue, something of that kind, that might well strengthen our leverage, it seems to me, with Government.

  Q321  Mr Betts: Do you not believe in taxation ?

  Mr Neill: No.

  Q322  Martin Horwood: Just for the record, some of us think London's influence on national policy-making is quite big enough already, thank you.

  Mr Neill: I am conscious of the different view outside the M25 from the way we inside look at it.

  Martin Horwood: It certainly is.

  Mr Betts: Thank you very much indeed for your evidence.





 
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