Transport secretary, Douglas Alexander, and local transport minister, ~Gillian Merron~ have been welcomed to their new government posts amid some scepticism about their relevant experience. Neither MP has espoused transport issues. Like Alistair Darling, his predecessor and fellow Scot, Alexander combines his transport cabinet post with the residual role of Scottish secretary. The high-flying 39-year-old was promoted from minister of state for Europe, having previously led on the Government’s better regulation agenda. In media interviews, he confirmed his support for road-user charging, stating that the ‘debate was now not so much, “Why road pricing?”, but, “How it would be implemented”’. Merron, a former council welfare rights officer, became a full-time Unison official before being elected Lincoln MP in 1997. She has served as an assistant whip and private secretary to ministers for defence and Northern Ireland. Her predecessor, Karen Buck, resigned the portfolio because it did not suit her interests (Surveyor, 2 March).