§ 16. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what applications he has received from local authorities to make orders in regard to the provision of parking places in accordance with Sections 19 to 25 of the Road Traffic Act, 1956.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNone, Sir.
§ Mr. DaviesIs there nothing that the Minister can do to urge local authorities to present these schemes to him? In view of the fact that traffic is deteriorating again is it not becoming very urgent that some serious schemes be presented in regard to parking or otherwise? Is it not a fact that the recent Report of the Road Research Laboratory has shown that the private car is very largely responsible for the congestion because, during the improved situation, private cars were reduced by 36 per cent. whereas the numbers of buses and taxis on the streets actually increased? Is it not quite clear that unless action is taken in regard to the parking of private cars the position will get very much worse?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe London and the Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee is on Friday examining, at my request, a number of the possible alleviations of the traffic and parking positions. So far as long-term parking places are concerned, which is what the hon. Gentleman is asking about, I prefer on the whole that local authorities should press on with their parking-meter schemes.