§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD BARNBYMy 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 whether, in view of the heavy national loss from traffic congestion, they can state when preliminary procedures will permit commencement of installation of parking meters.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, applications for parking meter orders have been made to my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation by the Westminster City Council and the St. Marylebone Borough Council, and are now both sub judice. My right honourable friend hopes to be in a position to announce his decisions early in the New Year.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the erection of parking meters will do nothing to relieve congestion in London? All they will do is to take more money out of the pockets of the motorists. Is the noble Lord further aware that there is only one way to relieve congestion in the streets of London, and that is to build wider streets and prohibit the use of existing streets for garaging?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, the noble Lord and I argued this case at almost intolerable length on both stages of both Road Traffic Bills. Let us not deploy the case again. Let us wait and see what happens if and when these schemes are introduced. We may all get a shock.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, arising out of the noble Lord's first reply, in view 522 of the tendency to increase double parking is it to be understood that the police have clear instructions as to what part of the breadth of the highway, if blocked by a car, attracts the wrong of obstruction, whereas the other parts, where parking takes place, do not attract an offence of obstruction? Where is the limitation?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I am not sure that I quite understand the question; I am not certain that I understand the muddle of traffic and parking regulations anyhow. I think it would be wiser if we awaited the result of these actions and inquiries, when all the matters to which the noble Lord has referred will be fully relevant.