HC Deb 21 February 1929 vol 225 cc1275-6
10. Sir FRANK MEYER

asked the Home Secretary whether the Commissioner of Police has exercised the power vested in him under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, 1928, to exempt from lighting requirements vehicles standing in any of the recognised parking places in the Metropolitan area; and, if so, at which places?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The answer is in the negative.

Sir F. MEYER

Will my right hon. Friend consult with the Commissioner as to why he has never used these powers? Is he not aware that there are many parking places in London where it is absolutely superfluous to keep the lights on 40 or 50 cars standing in a block?

Mr. CRAWFURD

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is certainly one well known place in London which is only used as a parking place, namely, Waterloo Place, which is well lighted, and where no other traffic goes through, and there is no possibility of accidents?

Captain BRASS

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the parking places in Paris they do not have to keep the lights on at all?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The position here is that the Commissioner of Police is only permitted to grant exemption from lighting in parking places that are not used for other traffic. The hon. Member opposite mentioned Waterloo Place, but one knows quite well that there is traffic going through Waterloo Place.

Mr. CRAWFURD

I am referring to the southern part of Waterloo Place, where there is no through traffic at all, unless indeed it goes down the steps into the Park.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

But the hon. Member must know that there is traffic going through Waterloo Place. The people who live there must have access to their houses. I will, however, bear that case in mind, but, if my hon. Friend will tell me of two or three places which he thinks quite properly come under the terms of the Act, to enable the Commissioner to exempt them, I will consult him on the subject.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

St. James's Square.

Mr. MONTAGUE

In view of the fact that no charge is made for parking in public places, is it unreasonable to require a little light to be put on the cars?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Parliament has been very clear on the subject. It says that it is only w here there is no other traffic going through that lighting may be dispensed with, and I can only consider places where there is no other traffic.

Captain BRASS

Are we to understand that the lighting is to prevent other vehicles running into the vehicles in the parking place?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS indicated assent.