§ 30. Mr. G. H. R. Rogersasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the increase in the number of unlicensed vehicles abandoned in the streets of North Kensington and other areas, which are causing obstruction and danger, if he will review the powers of local authorities and the Metropolitan Police to enable them to dispose of the vehicles more quickly.
§ Mr. GalbraithThe police have adequate powers to remove vehicles which are causing danger or obstruction, whether abandoned or not. They and the local authorities also have power to remove and dispose of vehicles abandoned on the roads. A vehicle may not be disposed of in less than six weeks. My information suggests that this statutory limitation is necessary because many 427 vehicles left unlicensed are not in fact really abandoned and are reclaimed by their owners.
§ Mr. RogersIs the Minister aware that his information differs from the experience of people in Kensington, where the police and the local authority agree that the powers are inadequate and that the number of abandoned cars in Kensington is so great that neither the police nor the local authority have adequate parking facilities for the period of six weeks? Should not the Minister's advisers look at this matter again, because we are not able to cope with the problem?
§ Mr. GalbraithI understand that it is not so much the question of six weeks being too long a period but the difficulty which arises after that in disposing of vehicles. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government is in consultation with the local authority on this matter.