§ 18. Mr. Parkinasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will take steps to secure the banning of the use of private cars in central London during the period of petrol shortage and use the opportunity to make a careful survey of any increased economy and efficiency in the use of public and commercial transport.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI do not think that the ban suggested by the hon. Member is either practicable or desirable, especially now that the necessary saving in petrol is to be achieved by rationing.
§ Mr. ParkinIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not clever in any circumstances to use oil in 130 horsepower buses to achieve a rate of progress about equal to that of the old horse buses? Is he further aware that he will never get a better opportunity than this, and never get more good will from the public, in carrying out a test, which he will have to organise at some time or other, to try to find out if there is a way of removing this delay in public transport and frustration to goods vehicles in the centre of London?
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, I do not agree, because, as I have said before in this House when we have debated this matter. I do not believe that putting a complete ban on the use of private cars in central London is the right way of meeting traffic congestion.
§ Mr. Gresham CookeWould not this be the worst moment to ban private cars in central London, when only essential motorists will be able to get into it?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonHas not the right hon. Gentleman, in reply to previous Questions which I have put to him in this House, said that unless the situation does improve he may be compelled to consider some ban or restriction on private cars in central London?
§ Mr. WatkinsonYes, but that was to be after we had tried several other things and I had received the advice of the London Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee on parking in London.