§ 11. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicle owners have been convicted of double parking in London in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggDrivers who double park may be charged with the offences of breaching waiting restrictions, unnecessary obstruction or leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position. In the Metropolitan and City police force areas there were over 11,500 convictions for these offences and nearly 2.7 million fixed penalty notices were issued. These offences may also be committed by persons who have not double parked, and I regret that it is not possible to identify double parking cases within these total figures.
§ Mr. GreenwayIs my hon. Friend aware of the serious shortage of parking spaces in London and the increase in double parking for that reason? What view does he take of parking tickets being issued at 4 am and 5 am when people have double parked for short periods because no other parking is available? Will he take steps to see that more parking is made available, so that double parking may cease?
§ Mr. HoggI suspect that the case to which my hon. Friend is referring reinforces his belief that it is best to travel to work on a horse.