§ 12. Sir Michael NeubertTo ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions since his appointment a car parking space has been provided for him when visiting static exhibitions in London in his official capacity. [21953]
§ Mr. HeseltineIt is not possible, without incurring disproportionate costs, to research my many visits to exhibitions in the past three years to see where a car parking space has been provided.
§ Sir Michael NeubertWould my right hon. Friend accept that I do not begrudge him an official car parking space, which is one of the last great luxuries in life? Would he also accept that traffic is congested and parking is in short supply in Olympia and Earls Court in west London, where the main exhibition centres are currently situated, and that not the least argument in favour of the proposed new major international exhibition centre in the royal docks is that, in addition to ease of access, ample parking space would be available? As such a centre would not only assist in the regeneration of east London but enhance the potential of our capital city as a national asset, will my right hon. Friend do all in his power to support that proposal?
§ Mr. HeseltineI thank my hon. Friend for his generosity in allowing me the privilege of a parking space. I can reassure him that I have just visited the potential site of the exhibition centre in the London Docklands development corporation area. It is for the scheme's promoters to propose appropriate financial arrangements and to secure the necessary planning undertakings. If they are successful, no one will be more pleased than me.