HL Deb 15 July 1958 vol 210 cc1029-30
EARL HOWE

My Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the rules governing the operation of parking meters in areas where they are installed, it is intended to make any special regulations to meet the needs of professional men, their clients or their patients.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MANCROFT)

My Lords, no special provision for professional men, their clients or patients, was proposed by the local authority or included in the only parking meter order so far made—the Parking Places (Westminster) (No. 1) Order, 1958, which is operating in North West Mayfair. Any local authority proposing such an Order to my right honourable friend may include in it such exemptions under Section 21 (4) of the Road Traffic Act. 1956, as they may wish, but I cannot anticipate the decisions of my right honourable friend on any such applications.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, does not the noble Lord think that in the case of people, perhaps suffering from grave injuries, who are going to see their medical advisers, some relaxation of the parking meter regulations as they stand should be incorporated in any further Order made for the same purpose?

LORD MANCROFT

My Lords, it does not actually matter what I think. What does matter is what representations are made by the local authorities to my right honourable friend, when he has heard all the interests concerned. In the particular case to which I have referred I understand that no representations were made, and on the only other Order before my right honourable friend repre- sentations along the lines which my noble friend suggests were made. The matter, as he will appreciate, is still under consideration.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, does the noble Lord not think that, in common humanity, something ought to be insisted on by the Minister of Transport in any further Orders which are made on the subject?

LORD MANCROFT

My Lords, if in common humanity my right honourable friend is asked to do so, indeed he will consider it; but in the only case so far put into practice he was riot so asked.

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, does my noble friend mean that it is impossible for the Minister to draw the attention of the local authority to the question and ask them to consider it?

LORD MANCROFT

My Lords, the local authority principally concerned in the matter which my noble friend Lord Howe has in mind—namely, the St. Marylebone Borough Council, in whose area Harley Streetis—did not need to have this matter drawn to their attention. They were powerfully aware of it and they have made representations to my right honourable friend. He is considering them.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, are there not a number of professional men, doctors and others, living in Westminster No. 1 area? Surely the Minister could have taken action on his own account in a case like this.

LORD MANCROFT

Yes, my Lords, he could have taken action, but he did not think from the facts before him that it was necessary.