§ 34. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent the staggering of working hours in Central London has reduced traffic congestion during the rush hours.
§ Mr. NugentThe staggering of working hours clearly helps to reduce traffic congestion at rush hours and we strongly support it. I regret no figures are available.
§ Mr. LiptonHas the hon. Gentleman seen a reply of his right hon. Friend which indicated that about one in 20 of the 500,000 people working in Central London now had their working hours staggered? Is he aware that at this rate it will be about twenty years before the working hours of all those working in Central London are staggered. Will he 357 consider the advisability, if this miserably slow progress continues, of introducing legislation to deal with the matter?
§ Mr. NugentI answered the Question in the way I did because the hon. Member had asked about traffic conditions and I had not realised that he was directing his attention to individual travellers. Certainly I am aware of my right hon. Friend's reply and we are considering all possible means of increasing the staggering of hours. However, it is not at all easy, because it affects people's personal lives and we must be patient.