§ 37. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Transport if he has given consideration to permitting parking meter users in London the right to utilise residual time.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThe parking meters in use in London are of a cumulative type, up to a maximum period, which is usually two hours. Users who buy less than the maximum get the benefit of any residual time. My right hon. Friend is considering whether motorists should be allowed to use residual time without payment.
§ Mr. ShepherdIs it not clear that it is economical to allow the residual time to be used by another motorist? Why should the time be paid for twice? Is it not a fact that those who use residual time would on many other occasions give residual time?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThat may be so, but, as my hon. Friend will 1259 appreciate, the chance of using residual time free was made possible by the Road Traffic Act, 1960. The initiative lies with the local authorities. Not all of them have asked for what has come to be called "tag end" parking. With regard to London, we do not think that we can have different rules from one London borough to the next.
§ Sir T. MooreWill my hon. and gallant Friend ensure that the meter traffic wardens use their residual courtesy in carrying out their duties?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI very much hope they do.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs it not the case that every motorist must pay? He must pay for some time. If he gets the advantage of residual time. he is still paying and probably does not even use his own time let alone the residual time.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThat may be so, but, as I have said. the initiative lies with the local authorities. Outside London a number of towns allow this "tag end" parking. On the other hand, to take a recent example, the City of Newcastle would have nothing to do with it.