Yesterday The Royal Gazette ran a story about Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb being stopped for speeding but getting off with a warning.

A Police spokeswoman had said the charges were dropped because of "procedural irregularities'' and a caution was issued instead.

Several sources had told the Police that Ms Webb, who admits she had already been caught speeding as a Minister, had been speeding in excess of 70 kmph -- which could have earned her a ban from the road not exceeding two years.

Ms Webb said it was not unusual for ordinary members of the public to be let off with a warning and Police also said 40 cautions had been issued instead of speeding tickets since January.

Ms Webb said Police Commissioner Jean Jacques-Lemay had called her to inform her the Press had found out about the case and to warn her a reporter would be calling about the story.

The Royal Gazette felt there were many questions unanswered about this incident and so faxed the Police Commissioner with questions.

These are the questions and the Police response: Question: Renee Webb said in today's Royal Gazette that you had called her to say that the Press had found out that she had been speeding. Did you call her? Question: If so why did you call her? Question: What was said? Question: Did the Press involvement lead to charges being dropped against Ms Webb? Question: If not, what were the "procedural irregularities'' mentioned in the story? Question: Has the officer concerned been disciplined for the procedural irregularities? Or will he/she be? Question: Are Police now trying to find the source of the leak to the Press? Question: A Police spokeswoman said that 40 cautions have been issued instead of speeding tickets since January at the discretion of either Divisional or Commissioner levels. What criteria do Divisional Commanders adopt for cautioning instead of issuing tickets? Question: What cases have you intervened on and why? Question: Did you sanction the dropping of the case against Ms Webb? Question: If so why? Question: Is it true that Ms Webb was doing 70 kph? Question: Is it normal to drop charges against anyone doing such a speed? The Police response to these questions was: "Police will not be issuing further comment on the queries that were raised by (reporter) Ms Karen Smith, as we feel the response adequately addresses the incident.

"As noted, cases that have extenuating circumstances attached are evaluated individually based on the circumstances involved.

"These cases are dealt with at the discretion of either the Divisional Commander or the Commissioner of Police.'' COURTS CTS