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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