HC Deb 23 December 1964 vol 704 cc1212-3
12. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce a scheme of limited exemption from parking regulations for registered disabled drivers.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Stephen Swingler)

Local authorities operating parking schemes already have powers to grant exemption to severely disabled drivers from charges and time limits. The police everywhere normally exercise discretion in favour of disabled drivers displaying badges issued by local authorities under the scheme sponsored by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Mr. Godman Irvine

Would the hon. Gentleman make certain that disabled drivers are well aware of this position? Would he not agree that a disabled driver who is unable to get somewhere near the place to which he is going has first the difficulty of walking there and then has the difficulty of going back and moving his car at the end of that time? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that cases have been brought to my attention where the information given by the hon. Gentleman has not been brought to the notice of disabled drivers? Will he see that this is done?

Mr. Swingler

We are completely sympathetic to what the hon. Member says. I hope that this Question and Answer will have done something to give publicity to the subject. It is a matter for the exercise of discretion on the part of local authorities and the police. We hope that that discretion will be exercised in favour of disabled drivers.

Mr. Powell

Will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to consider approaching local authorities once again, and particularly those that have not made any concessions under the scheme, to consider whether they will do so? Will he not agree that this scheme, introduced three years ago, has on the whole been of great benefit.

Mr. Swingler

We are certainly prepared to consider the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion. It is a matter for the local authorities and we do not want to keep directing them about exercising discretion of this kind, but if there is evidence that action is not taken to exercise discretion in favour of disabled drivers we will certainly take the matter up.

Mr. Evelyn King

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that most of these civilian disabled have no pensions from public funds arid that they take pride in earning their living and that by the very nature of their complaint that living is largely earned in offices? Is he aware that we are making it quite impossible for these disabled who are working hard in earning a living to reach the offices where they work?

Mr. Swingler

If there is difficulty we shall be glad to have the evidence and see what can be done. We are doing everything possible to take into account the needs of disabled drivers. It is a matter for the local authorities but if evidence of that kind exists we shall be glad to receive it and to take the matter up with them.