Written question asked by Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour) on Thursday, 1 April 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 April 2004. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Monday, 19 April 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the percentage change in (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on the roads of Birkenhead has been since 1997. - Inc figures and fact that will write.

Answer: Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change in (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on the roads of Birkenhead has been since 1997. [166496] Dr. Howells: The available information relates to local authority areas. For Wirral metropolitan district, which includes the constituency of Birkenhead, the number of deaths in road accidents rose by 20 per cent. from 10 in 1997 to 12 in 2002, the latest year for which information is available; and the number of serious injuries fell by 3 per cent., from 178 in 1997 to 173 in 2002. Estimates on the basis of parliamentary constituencies will become available in the summer. I shall write to my right hon. Friend with figures for Birkenhead and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Secondary information