HC Deb 05 February 1958 vol 581 cc1165-7
17. Mr. Fisher

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has yet come to a decision with regard to the provision of parking meters in the West End of London.

22. Mr. Partridge

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many schemes for parking meters in Central London have been proposed to him by the authorities concerned; and how many he has approved.

27. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many proposals for installing parking meters have been received by him from local authorities up to date.

Mr. Nugent

We have received applications for Orders authorising the use of parking meters from the Westminster City Council and the St. Marylebone Borough Council. In both cases public inquiries have been held. The Marylebone report has not yet been received. In the case of the Westminster Order, we have now received the reports of the Inspector who held the inquiry and of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee which we are bound to consult. They both advise us, subject to modifications on some points of detail, to proceed with the scheme. We have considered this advice and decided to accept it. We shall proceed, therefore, to make the necessary Order as soon as we have given detailed consideration to the modifications proposed.

Mr. Fisher

Is my hon. Friend aware that this decision to expedite the matter and not to await the Marylebone inquiry will be much welcomed in London? Can he give the House any idea when the meters will be installed and operating in the Westminster area?

Mr. Nugent

I am advised that it will take about three months from the time when the Order is made and Westminster Council can proceed.

Mr. Ernest Davies

May we take it that the House will have an opportunity of debating the Order when it is laid before the House? I think that it has to be in the form of an affirmative Resolution. Now that the decision has been reached, will the Minister enter into consultations with his right hon. Friend in regard to the enforcement of parking restrictions in the area adjacent to that in which parking meters are to be installed? Does not the success of the whole scheme depend upon the very strict enforcement of regulations to ensure a free flow of traffic?

Mr. Nugent

The scheme certainly depends upon strict enforcement both in the restricted area and adjacent to it, and I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and, through him, the police, are well aware—in fact I have their own assurance about it—that the whole scheme depends upon that. As to the first part of the supplementary question, this Order requires a Resolution of the House, and there will therefore be an opportunity to debate it.

Mr. Partridge

As we have got off to a very slow start here, may I express the hope that the Minister will not allow any delays to take place either in his Department or elsewhere? This is an experiment which is really necessary in order to decide whether this is the proper way of dealing with an almost insoluble problem, and the sooner we tackle it the better we shall be able to see whether it is the answer.

Mr. Nugent

My right hon. Friend and I are well aware of that. We are most anxious to get this scheme going, so that we can have just the experience to which my hon. Friend refers.

Mr. Russell

Can my hon. Friend say whether the Westminster scheme will cover a wide area of the West End?

Mr. Nugent

No, it is a fairly limited area. It is the north-west corner of Mayfair. It includes Park Lane and Oxford Street, and goes roughly as far south as the southern boundary of Grosvenor Square.