HC Deb 28 April 1955 vol 540 cc1042-4
3. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that unauthorised obstructions have been placed on the footway outside the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane and in the roadway in Stanhope Gate; and whether he will instruct the Metropolitan Police to have these illegal obstructions removed.

Major Lloyd-George

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation has stated in reply to previous Questions by my hon. Friend, the question of ordering the removal of signs outside the Dorchester Hotel is under consideration by the Westminster City Council. As regards the signs in Stanhope Gate, the police propose to inform the frontagers that if the use of the signs is persisted in it will be necessary to bring the matter to the notice of the Westminster City Council.

Mr. Langford-HoIt

But that is just not good enough. Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that I raised this matter in this House as early as 16th February this year, that is three months ago? Is not my right hon. and gallant Friend responsible to this House for seeing that the law is enforced rather than saying that it is being considered whether the law should be enforced?

Major Lloyd-George

I can answer only for myself. It is for the highway authority—in this case it is the Westminster City Council—to take action. The only other possibility would be for the Commissioner of Police, if he wanted anything done, to make a recommendation to the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation. This he has not done.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is not my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that these signposts—whether they are outside the Dorchester or any other place does not matter at all—are illegal? Should they not, therefore, be removed rather than it be left to any local highway authority to take action?

Major Lloyd-George

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Under the existing Act, it is for the highway authority responsible to take action—

Mr. Langford-Holt

No.

Major Lloyd-George

It is for the highway authority—in this case, the Westminster City Council—to take action if it considers that to be necessary. The Commissioner of Police can make recommendations to the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, but he has not done so.

Mr. Robens

May I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman whether his answer means that a private citizen who puts a "No parking" notice outside his house is acting illegally?

Major Lloyd-George

No, Sir. So far as I know, if the highway authority regards such a notice as an obstruction to traffic, it can have it removed, but it is for the authority to decide.