§ 53. Mr. BURNETTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ascertain from the police authorities and state to what extent they will permit public thoroughfares in the Metropolitan area to be obstructed by the storing of cars in the streets instead of at garages; and whether he is aware of the annoyance caused to residents and shopkeepers whose premises are obstructed by these vehicles?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)In this matter the police have a very difficult task to perform. There 1579 are not sufficient garages in. central London to accommodate all the cars seeking accommodation, and the result is that many cars are left standing in the streets. Again, while it is true that annoyance is sometimes caused to frontagers access to whose premises is obstructed by standing vehicles, complaint is often made by shopkeepers that their customers' vehicles are not allowed to stand in front of their premises. In these circumstances it is the practice of the police to intervene when obstruction or danger is likely to arise, and to consider, as far as possible, the interests of all concerned.
Mr. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the problem caused by the excessive time taken in loading and unloading tradesmen's vehicles outside shops?
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELHas the right hon. Gentleman noticed the answer given recently by the Minister of Transport, in which he stated that this form of obstruction was a fruitful cause of fatal accidents?