§ 43. Mr. Onslowasked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to make available to disabled drivers a special identification disc which will entitle them throughout the United Kingdom to the same exemption from parking restrictions as is normally extended to the drivers of goods vehicles.
Mr. Bob BrownUnder the National Car Badge Scheme for Disabled Drivers, yellow identification discs are already issued by local welfare authorities to drivers who have considerable difficulty in walking.
Waiting restriction orders frequently include exemptions to permit drivers to stop to enable people to board or alight or for goods to be loaded or unloaded. These exemptions apply to all drivers; they are not confined to the drivers of goods vehicles.
§ Mr. OnslowIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many disabled drivers are finding difficulty in parking outside in their own localities, often because of the unimaginative way in which traffic wardens carry out their tasks? Would he not agree that there is a case for some disc which confers reasonable privileges throughout the country for disabled drivers?
Mr. BrownThe question of a national scheme is not an easy proposition, because clearly traffic conditions vary.
§ Mr. Onslowindicated dissent.
Mr. BrownIt is no good the hon. Member shaking his head. If we were trying to lay down a national scheme we would have to lay it down on the worst of traffic conditions, and this would be to the detriment of disabled people.
§ Mr. PagetWould my hon. Friend consider a scheme for allowing invalid tricycles to mount the pavement for parking purposes? Is he aware that this would be a tremendous help and, I think, a marginal disadvantage to pedestrians?
Mr. BrownThis question is being reviewed, not in terms of parking but in terms of the invalid tricycle type of vehicle, such as the thalidomide babies use, for instance.