HC Deb 03 February 1960 vol 616 cc979-80
13. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the Minister of Transport the reasons for the delays in proceeding with underground car parks at Cavendish Square and the north-east corner of Hyde Park, in view of the fact that satisfactory plans have been ready for many months.

Mr. Marples

Private developers are interested in these projects, but so far as I know final plans have not been prepared. I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works about the legal and amenity considerations we have to take into account in the case of the Hyde Park site. Development at either site would require legislation.

Sir W. Wakefield

Will the Minister give an undertaking that this matter will be pressed on with the utmost speed, in view of the fact that there is an urgent need for such car parks when temporary car parks are not available? Even at this moment the car park on Horse Guards Parade is full. It shows that there is an urgent need to press on with the provision of these vital facilities.

Mr. Marples

I quite agree about the need for off-street car parks, but if my hon. Friend will have a look at the Lex Garage at Selfridge's, in Oxford Street, he will find that usually it is not full. It depends on what is physically possible. We have to watch the entrances and exits for underground car parks, and we must also keep in mind amenity interests. We must further remember that all this requires legislation.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that one of the reasons why Selfridge's Garage is usually half-empty might be the fact that it costs 4s. to park one's car there for five minutes?

Mr. Marples

I believe it costs 4s. for a few hours, too.