Time to apply the brakes to transport as emissions rise 47% - Baker

Worrying new figures from the Office of National Statistics, released today, reveal that greenhouse gas emissions from transport increased 47% between 1990 and 2002.

The figures were originally suppressed from the ONS report on greenhouse gases in May after the Department for Transport put pressure on the Office to leave them out.

Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, questioned the Secretary of State on the figures in DEFRA questions today, but Margaret Beckett's alarming response was that she was not aware of the new figures.

Commenting, Norman Baker said:

"Despite a 10% decline in total greenhouse gas emissions, transport emissions continue to rise unabated.

"It is extremely worrying that the Secretary of State for the Environment is not even aware of these important statistics. All she could do was point to another empty target.

"This is not enough. It's time DEFRA took responsibility for the environment and started to apply the brakes to the Department for Transport."