HC Deb 24 July 1963 vol 681 cc1452-3
45. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Transport what consultation he had with the motoring organisations and local authorities prior to announcing his scheme for revised parking charges in London.

Mr. Marples

None, Sir. The various measures I have suggested for making the control of street parking in London more effective have been put to the local authorities concerned and will be fully discussed with them. I have also published my proposals in order to give everyone interested an opportunity to comment. Copies have been sent to the motoring organisations. Their views, as well as those of other representative bodies, will be fully considered.

Mr. Wall

Is the Minister aware that his scheme for increasing parking meter charges, taken together with the totting-up of offences by motorists, taken together with the other restrictive schemes, is making the motorist feel that he is being subjected to persecution? Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the importance of carrying the motoring organisations with him when he makes such announcements?

Mr. Marples

These are proposals, and proposals only. The motoring organisations and the local authorities will have their chance to say exactly what they like about these proposals. We shall listen to them. These proposals are not made because we are against the motorist. We want to try to make traffic move in the centre of London. I only wish that some day I were able to remove all the restrictions and allow the motorists and others to do what they want for a few days. Then we should see what would happen.

Mr. G. Wilson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the motoring organisations in Sweden themselves suggested differential parking in Stockholm and that the system has worked very well?

Mr. Marples

I agree. But there they do not have the same democratic system as we have.