§ 29. Mr. Heathcoat-Amoryasked the Lord Privy Seal what information he has as to the use of car parking spaces marked for right hon. and hon. Members by others; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenI refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave on 17 November to his previous question. If he has any particular point in mind I will draw it to the attention of the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. Is he aware that at the Norman Shaw buildings the car parking spaces reserved for hon. Members are frequently used by an assortment of secretaries, research assistants and others and that often the cars do not even display the car parking badge? Does he not think that the white markings on the ground stating "Members only" should mean just that? If that is not the case, should not the markings be altered?
§ Mr. BiffenI shall of course draw my hon. Friend's specific points to the attention of the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee.
§ Mr. WilliamsWill the right hon. Gentleman note that only 12 places for the disabled are reserved in Star Chamber Court, although more than 30 Members of the House and its staff are disabled? Will he therefore consider whether more spaces in the court should be reserved for the disabled, and what action can appropriately be taken against those hon. Members who persistently and selfishly insist on parking in the disabled parking spaces, although they suffer from no disability?
§ Mr. BiffenI take note of what the right hon. Gentleman says. I suggest that in the first instance he 19 writes to the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee giving evidence of the inadequacy of the present arrangements for the disabled. I am sure that the Committee will wish to take that up.