HC Deb 08 May 1963 vol 677 cc410-1
20. Mr. Lubbock

asked the Minister of Transport when he gave his sanction to the installation of parking meters in the Fleet Street area.

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

My right hon. Friend approved the application of the Common Council of the City of London on 24th August, 1962. The parking places Order was made on 28th August. The controlled parking scheme came into operation on 26th November.

Mr. Lubbock

Is it not rather curious that the Minister of Transport should agree to an application such as this, which makes parking in the Fleet Street area more difficult when, at the same time, many of my constituents who are journalists are being encouraged to bring their cars to the centre of London, making the congestion more difficult, by the withdrawal of the late-night trains they have used?

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

One cannot really compare the two things, but the whole scheme appears to be working very well. Traffic is moving much more freely, and access for loading, and so on, has improved, but, as in most parts of London, the amount of utilisation of the meters is very high.