David Robinsons letter about my recent speech in the House of Commons is misleading.

Mr Robinson wrote that I had applauded Merton Council for transforming Mitcham and Morden into a Shangri-La of south-west London.

Not so. If Mr Robinson had read my speech carefully, I hope he would agree that I told the Commons that ours is an area which has struggled in past decades, and which needs government help to tackle the graffiti, the abandoned cars, the fly tipping and all the rest of the problems which concern us all as we move around our neighbourhoods. He would also have to agree that I quoted his own neighbourhood, Longthornton, as a particular hotspot for these problems, referring closely to a survey of hundreds of residents which I carried out over the summer.

I used my speech to point out that, using money from central government for the Neighbourhood Warden Scheme, Merton has been able to toughen up its efforts to tackle problems of environmental crime and anti-social behaviour.

But we all know that there is still much to do. So I also used my speech to ask ministers to look favourably on Mertons bid for more funding to increase the number of neighbourhood wardens in the borough and to set up an anti-graffiti squad.

That second bid has been successful.

SIOBHAIN MCDONAGH

MP for Mitcham and Morden

House of Commons

Westminster