§ 29. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what reduction has been effected in the number of private motor cars in central London as the result of petrol restrictions.
§ Mr. WatkinsonPreliminary estimates indicate a reduction in total traffic of about 10 per cent. Figures for private cars are not available.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, unwillingly but nonetheless effectively, the Government are at last reducing traffic congestion in central London? Will he now agree that keeping private cars out of central London is the quickest and least complicated solution to the problem, especially as public transport facilities are capable of carrying all the people who want to come into London daily and of moving them out again, provided that they do not all want to travel at the same time?
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, Sir. As the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, I am entirely opposed to banning motorists from any area of London or using the temporary difficult petrol situation for the same purpose.