§ 28. Sir CYRIL COBBasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the King's highway is maintained at the public expense to provide a free passage for traffic, he will, in order that obstruction by the storage of motor cars on the highway may cease, take steps to compel local authorities in the Metropolitan and other built-up areas to make a considerable charge payable to public funds for storage space occupied by cars standing in public thorughfares instead of in garages?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI am in agreement with my hon. Friend's general aim of preventing the use of the highway by standing vehicles, but I fear that to give highway authorities a power, which they do not at present possess, to make a charge, would increase rather than diminish the present difficulties.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSDoes the Minister propose to deal with vehicles loading goods when they occupy excessive amounts of time in doing so?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI hope it will be possible in the future to deal with that matter.
§ 29. Sir C. COBBasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the use of public thoroughfares instead of proper accommodation for the 372 storage of motor vehicles is one of the most powerful causes of accidents, he will now request local authorities to forbid motor vehicles to stand in public thoroughfares of a built-up area, if unoccupied by their drivers, for a longer period than 15 minutes, and except to set down or pick up passengers or freight?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHARegulations are in force limiting the periods during which vehicles may wait in Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus and short sections of the streets leading into Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus. I am considering whether similar regulations should be made in respect of other streets which are congested or where accidents are a frequent occurrence. Outside the London Traffic Area, the matter is one primarily for consideration by the local authorities concerned.
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs the Minister aware that many side streets leading out of main streets are now used as garages for motor vehicles?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAYes, Sir. I strongly deprecate that practice, and wish that more garages could be provided and used.
§ Mr. ISAAC FOOTWill the hon. Gentleman give attention to the stationing of cars, as so frequently happens, within the white line which has been laid down because of dangerous circumstances? Will he have regard to the cars that are often left within the white line, occupying space which is needed for public purposes?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI share the hon. Gentleman's view, and hope that progressively some improvement may be made.
Viscountess ASTORWill the Minister consider the possibility of putting a garage under St. James's Square?
§ Mr. PIKEWill my hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that one of the reasons which prompt many people to leave their cars on highways is the exorbitant price charged by the majority of garages?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI hope that some enterprising people will take advantage of the opportunity and install garages that are cheap. They would be both useful and profitable.
§ Vice-Admiral TAYLORIs not the Minister aware that most of the cars left at the side of the road are cars used by people who are doing shopping, and that, if too great restrictions are put upon them, it may very seriously affect the shopping interests?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThose who have shops or restaurants or theatres which attract traffic outside their doors ought to make provision for it.