HC Deb 21 December 1954 vol 535 cc2586-7
42. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Works what protests he has received against the use of the Royal Parks as car parks.

Mr. Birch

I have received one letter.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the Minister aware that the use of the Royal Parks for this purpose shows that the Government's policy for dealing with traffic in the West End has completely broken down? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that the chaos will be even greater unless he widens or by-passes the gateways to the Royal Parks, where there is already considerable congestion, before these car parks are established?

Mr. Birch

The question of the gateways is a different one.

Brigadier Medlicott

Is my right hon. Friend aware that motorists, of which I am one, are quite rapacious in their demands and will take every inch of open space that they can get? Will he, therefore, resist any further encroachment on these beautiful parks, and assure the House that these arrangements are entirely temporary?

Mr. Birch

I will certainly do so.