§ 16. Mr. Horamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of parking fines outstanding in the London area at the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. CarlisleInformation about unpaid parking fines imposed by the courts is not available, but most parking offences in London are dealt with by fixed penalty notices. In the first six months of 1972, 635,000 such notices were issued in the Metropolitan Police district; payment was made or waived in 465,849 cases; 10,563 cases resulted in prosecution; and 158,588 cases remained outstanding.
§ Mr. HoramDoes the Minister agree that the recently-announced plan to introduce keeper liability will do something to reduce the high figures he has given? Will he say whether there is any thinking going on in the Government, in his Department or the Department of the Environment, on the next logical step, which is to prevent people who have outstanding fines from renewing their annual vehicle licence? Is he aware that this has been a common practice in other countries for some time, and seems to work well?
§ Mr. CarlisleI can assure the hon. Gentleman that a great deal of thinking goes on all the time in all Government Departments. I cannot say whether the transport Ministry is giving consideration to the point he has raised. I will certainly bear it in mind. As he says, the Government have declared their intention to introduce legislation on owner liability.
§ Mr. MartenDoes the figure which my hon. and learned Friend has given for outstanding parking tickets include those issued to the Diplomatic Service?
§ Mr. CarlisleProbably not. I think that they would come within the bigger figure of 465,849, which included not only those which were paid but those which had been waived.