HC Deb 11 March 1969 vol 779 cc1162-3
32. Mr. Michael Heseltine

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many coach parties of tourists came to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace daily, last summer; and what arrangements for parking coaches during the ceremony he is making.

Mr. Mellish

No record is kept of the number of coaches which enter St. James's and Green Park for the Changing of the Guard. At the request of the traffic authorities, coaches are permitted to park in Constitution Hill for the duration of the ceremony.

Mr. Heseltine

Is the Minister aware that 75 parking places are provided in Constitution Hill, and that on some days in the summer up to 140 coaches arrive for these places? Is he aware that there is a growing demand for parking places because of increasing tourism—[Interruption.]—and will he conduct a survey to see whether further places can be provided?

Mr. Mellish

The hon. Gentleman will understand that in the midst of the birthday greetings to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, I am not sure whether I understood his question. Is he asking for more spaces or fewer spaces?

Mr. Heseltine

On a point of order. Am I permitted to repeat the question in view of the Minister's reply?

Mr. Speaker

I think the hon. Gentleman had better do so.

Mr. Heseltine

As only 75 spaces are provided on Constitution Hill for the 140 coaches that arrive on a high summer day, and as this is a growing tourist market, will the Minister conduct a survey of areas around the Palace to see whether additional parking spaces can be made available?

Mr. Mellish

I hope that the hon. Gentleman is not asking me to sacrifice parkland for this purpose. As long as he clearly understands that, I am quite prepared to have a survey. I regard our parks as absolutely sacrosanct and, if I had my way, I would keep all motorists out of all of them.