§ 11. Mr. Prenticeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many coach parking spaces have been made available by his Department along the Mall Horse Ride and along Constitution Hill for coach drivers bringing visitors to see the Changing of the Guard; and whether he will make additional spaces available next year.
§ Mr. ChannonForty spaces are provided on the Buckingham Palace side of Constitution Hill. Although parking had to be withdrawn last year from the Green Park side of Constitution Hill to provide safe passage for the Queen's Life Guard, 70 additional spaces were made available in the Mall Horse Ride for the entire tourist season for the first time. My right hon. Friend will continue to make these spaces available again during the 1972 tourist season, but it is impossible to provide more parking room without seriously impairing the amenities of the area.
§ Mr. PrenticeConcerning the last part of that answer, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to agree that conditions for coach parking are becoming more desperate each summer in Central London? Will he have urgent consultations with the local authorities and the police to see whether, in this area of great tourist attraction, more coach parking facilities can be provided, for the sake of coach drivers and tourists?
§ Mr. ChannonI note what the right hon. Gentleman says and I assure him that we are in constant touch with the Greater London Council, the Westminster City Council and the police about these matters. He will agree, however, that we do not want to ruin the amenities of the area.
§ Mr. JesselWill my hon. Friend ensure that not so many coaches are parked in Constitution Hill that the traffic becomes so congested at Hyde Park Corner that it seizes up, which happened in the summer of 1970, with widespread effect on the West End? Will he see that that does not happen again?
§ Mr. ChannonThat is a relevant factor in considering this issue, but it is beyond any powers I may have to give such an absolute guarantee.