§ 28. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in respect of unlighted stationary vehicles at night in the London area; and what consultations have taken place or have been proposed with a view to ensuring unity of policy on this matter between the Metropolitan Police area and adjacent areas in the home counties.
§ Mr. RentonMy right hon. Friend has received no such representations. The police enforce the Regulations applicable in their particular areas, and as the Regulations for the Metropolitan Police District and the City of London are different from those which apply elsewhere, uniformity is not, at present, possible.
§ Mr. SorensenWhy does the Under-Secretary say that uniformity is not possible? Is it not at least possible to get some co-ordination and consistency between the Metropolitan Police area and adjacent areas? Is it quite impossible for the authorities just to communicate, so that those who are accustomed to leaving their vehicles unlighted at night, quite legally, within a certain area, are not prosecuted if they go beyond that area?
§ Mr. RentonConditions in the Metropolis differ somewhat from those elsewhere, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is responsible for the Regulations that apply elsewhere.
§ 29. Mr. Cooperasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that attempts are being made to secure that private cars shall not be parked in streets all night, and that residents in the Borough of Ilford have been threatened with prosecution if, after three weeks, their cars remain so parked; and, in view of the absence of alternative parking facilities, if he will see that no further steps are taken in this matter.
§ Mr. RentonI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that a number of motorists who regularly park their cars for long periods in the streets in the Ilford area have been warned that they 1343 are thereby committing an offence, and have been advised to make arrangements to park the cars off the highway. No time limit for the removal of cars has been laid down, and motorists will be given a reasonable time to make such arrangements before the question of proceedings is considered. I recognise that some owners may have difficulty in finding suitable off-street accommodation, but regular all-night parking is a misuse of the highway which causes much inconvenience to other road users and is the subject of much public complaint. My right hon. Friend does not consider that there are any grounds on which he could properly intervene in this matter, which is one for the Commissioner of Police.
§ Mr. CooperCan my hon. and learned Friend tell me why the Borough of Ilford has been singled out for this particular treatment? Is he aware that in Ilford at present, some 3,000 cars are affected, that the borough contains a very large proportion of terraced property, and that there is no alternative garage accommodation available? Where is it supposed that my constituents are to be allowed to park their cars?
§ Mr. RentonI am not aware that the Borough of Ilford has been singled out in the way my hon. Friend suggests. The Commissioner of Police tries to enforce the law in a reasonable spirit. Many of the vehicles concerned, not only in the Borough of Ilford but elsewhere, are vehicles that are not in current use. They are either unlicensed or not in running order. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] The question of additional garages and off-street parking facilities is one for the local authorities concerned.
§ Mr. CooperOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply given by my hon. and learned Friend, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.