§ 42. Mr. Archerasked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to ensure that there is provided in every industrial town parking facilities for commercial vehicles within reasonable distance of lodging accommodation.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe provision of parking space for commercial vehicles is a matter for the local authorities. We consider lorry parks highly desirable in the interests of local amenity and safety and are taking every opportunity of encouraging their provision.
§ Mr. ArcherI thank my hon. Friend for the latter part of his Answer, but is he aware that the lack of facilities is not merely a serious inconvenience to lorry drivers but frequently leads to the parking of vehicles where they are a nuisance to residents? Has he no powers of persuasion in this matter?
§ Mr. CarmichaelMy right hon. Friend has powers of discussion which frequently lead to the persuasion of local authorities. He is having discussions with local authorities at traffic seminars throughout the country. Local authorities are now I think fully apprised from the practical point of view of streets being overcrowded and of the necessity for having parking facilities for lorries.