The House of Commons Transport Select Committee has criticised Lord Birt and the Prime Minister, Tony Blair over the former's refusal to appear before the committee.

It had asked Lord Birt to testify about his work as an adviser to Mr Blair on Transport Policy.

In a wide-ranging critique of the team of special advisers working at No. 10 Downing Street, the committee says:

"There is widespread concern that the growth of the central unit generates an irresistible urge to meddle with the work of other Departments.

"Both in policy analysis and its implementation, the central unit can be part of the problem, not the solution."

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