Minister must apologise for misleading comments - Carmichael

12.00.00am GMT Fri 10th Mar 2006

Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Alistair Carmichael MP has today called on Transport Minister, Stephen Ladyman MP to correct his misleading comments on 'Newsnight' on 9th March.

Speaking on Newsnight, Transport Minister, Stephen Ladyman MP said, "The number of roads police has increased substantially in recent years."

But new figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that road traffic police numbers in England and Wales have actually declined by 5% since 2000.

Alistair Carmichael MP has written to the Minister seeking a correction of his comments and an apology for misleading the public.

The figures, obtained through Parliamentary Questions show that Cleveland police force has lost 66 officers leaving them with just 2 traffic officers. Staffordshire and West Mercia forces have also lost over half their road traffic officers.

Alistair Carmichael MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, said "The Minister's assertion that the number of roads police has increased substantially is not borne out by the facts. He has either been very badly briefed or was confused, but he must now correct his statement.

"The reality is very worrying and the Government must make a firm commitment to adequate and effective policing.

"Cutting the numbers of road traffic police, by more than half in some areas, seems hard to justify.

"Traffic police cannot be replaced with speed cameras or other automated systems.

"Though speed cameras have a crucial role to play, an over reliance on them at the expense of traffic police will not improve road safety."