HL Deb 06 July 1959 vol 217 cc728-9

3.4 p.m.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD FORBES) rose to move, That the Parking Places (Scotland No. 1) Order, 1959, be approved. The noble Lord said: My Lords, I beg leave to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper. This Order is much the same as the English one, though possibly it will not attract quite so much attention. The Order is made under subsection (8) of Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1956, which allows my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to apply subsection (1) of Section 19 to designated areas in Scotland. The area designated by the present Order is the City of Edinburgh, because it is the City of Edinburgh, and at present only the City of Edinburgh, which has applied to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for an Order to be made. If other authorities in Scotland request a similar Order we shall certainly give it careful consideration, but the initiative must come from the local authority concerned.

As in the case of the English Order, the Scottish Order does not mean that parking meters will necessarily be erected in Edinburgh. The next step is for the Corporation of Edinburgh to put up a scheme designating the streets in the city where they propose to make charges for parking. This scheme must be advertised and brought to the notice of persons likely to be specially affected, and my right honourable friend will consider, in the tight of any objections received, whether or not a public inquiry should be held. If he eventually decides to confirm the scheme, it will be laid before your Lordships' House and can be annulled by Resolution of the House if your Lordships say so. In brief, the instrument which is now before the House is an enabling Order, and I commend it to Your Lordships as a measure which will enable steps to be taken, if necessary and after due inquiry, to deal with congestion caused by parked cars in the City of Edinburgh.

Moved, That the Parking Places (Scotland No. 1) Order. 1959, be approved.—(Lord Forbes.)

EARL HOWE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether the people interested in Edinburgh will be given a chance to find out what the income and expenditure account is in connection with any scheme which may be proposed and which may pass this House? Legislation on Scottish and English affairs is not always exactly the same.

LORD FORBES

My Lords, in this case the procedure will be exactly the same.

On Question, Motion agreed to.