HC Deb 16 June 1971 vol 819 cc435-6
25. Mr. Montgomery

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to investigate the distribution of goods in towns by heavy lorries, in the light of the work being carried out by his working party.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

My right hon. Friend is considering with the road haulage industry the whole question of lorries and the environment.

Mr. Montgomery

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that one of the most serious problems is the indiscriminate parking of lorries in town centres? May we be assured that when these discussions take place, provision will be made for street parking for lorries to try to get rid of some of the traffic chaos that exists?

Mr. Griffiths

I take note of and agree very much with my hon. Friend's remarks. The report of my Department's working party on lorry parking has now been received and is being studied. Arrangements are being made for its publication.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

I was interested to hear the Minister's comments about an investigation having been made into lorry parking. Is he aware that people living in poorer parts of the country, and particularly the East End of London, feel that these lorries are being allowed to park in their streets all day and every day, all night and every night, often right outside their front doors, making it difficult for them to get in and out, when in the more salubrious and wealthy areas such as Berkeley Square and the Mall the police move on these lorries as soon as they attempt to park? Why cannot we in the poorer parts of London have the same treatment as those living in Smith Square, Berkeley Square and similar salubrious areas?

Mr. Griffiths

I hope that the hon. Gentleman is not suggesting that the police operate a discriminatory means test in the enforcement of the law.

Mr. Fernyhough

He is.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

They do.

Mr. Griffiths

If he is, then I reject it totally.

Mr. Kinsey

Will my hon. Friend get the working party to look into the results of the "Operation Moondrop" experiment which was done into the delivery of goods to see whether we can get less congestion during the daytime, and possibly the cheaper delivery of goods, which will perhaps be reflected in the housewife's shopping purse?

Mr. Griffiths

I appreciate that some advantages are to be won from making deliveries by night. However, my hon. Friend will be aware that not everyone is anxious to have noise and fumes during the night, when most people are trying to sleep.