§ 17. Mr. Hugo Swire (East Devon) (Con)How many prosecutions have been brought as a result of speed cameras in Devon and Cornwall since cameras were first introduced. [142103]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Caroline Flint)Cameras were first used in Devon and Cornwall in 1992. The latest year for which data are available is 2001. In that period there were 22,902 prosecutions for speeding offences detected by camera.
§ Mr. SwireIn the run-up to Christmas everyone is interested in road safety. In her earlier answer to the hon. Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Watts) I think that the Minister added to the general confusion surrounding speed cameras by overstating their importance. When I recently asked the Secretary of State for Transport about SPECS digital speed cameras, which, as far as I am aware, we do not have yet in Devon and Cornwall, he said that the revenue from the cameras went to cover the cost of their operation, with all surplus moneys going to the Treasury.
That seems to be the case in some parts of the country but not in others. Chief constables in some areas say that speed cameras are not an effective way 778 of policing, and in some areas revenue is reserved by the chief constable and in other areas by the Treasury. Is not the real case—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I call the Minister.
§ Caroline FlintDevon and Cornwall want the cameras because they joined the scheme in October 2002. They did not have to join the scheme, but they did so. That must say something about why they want the cameras. As I said earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Watts), we must use the latest technology and police officers to tackle offences on our streets and roads. There is no doubt that speeding is a serious criminal offence. When people are speeding or not driving at the appropriate speed according to the conditions, they can affect lives. That is what needs to be dealt with. That is why the scheme is so popular, that is why police forces want it, and that is why they want the resources to assist them in dealing with road safety.