§ LORD COLWYNMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what they intend to do about the parking facilities in Harley Street, Wimpole Street, Devonshire Street, Weymouth Street, etc.]
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, the immediate responsibility for dealing with the parking problem in the Harley Street area is not that of Her Majesty's Government but of the St. Marylebone Borough Council. The Road Traffic Act of 1956 gives that council, in common with other councils in the London area, the power to propose to my right honourable friend, the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, schemes for the regulation of parking on the public highway by means of parking meters or otherwise. One such scheme submitted by the St. Marylebone Borough Council is at present the subject of a public inquiry.
§ LORD COLWYNMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord very much for his Answer. There is one small point I should like to bring forward. Would it be possible for the doctors to have some form of badge, certificate or disc on their cars in order to get out in an emergency? People are doubling up the parking at the present moment, and when a hospital rings up for a doctor for an emergency operation, he cannot get out because of this double parking.
§ LORD MANCROFTThis matter is at the moment still sub judice and it would not be proper for me to make any comment on a subject still before a public inquiry. I can however go so far as to say this: having served for some years on this particular local authority, and having been chairman of its public health committee, I can assure the noble Lord that the point he has made 730 and the problems of doctors are borne fully in mind.