§ 2.48 p.m.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, I beg leave 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, having regard to the special difficulties which disabled persons experience, the appropriate Minister will ask the police to give such help as the law allows to disabled persons in connection with motor-car parking.]
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, the enforcement of the law relating to the parking of vehicles in any area is the responsibility of the chief officer of police concerned. It is clear from discussions that my right honourable friend the Home Secretary has had with representative chief officers that the police generally, as one would expect, recognise the special difficulties experienced by disabled persons in parking their cars and give them all the help they can. Whilst it would not be practicable to give disabled drivers a general exemption from the restrictions on parking imposed in the interests of all road users, there are many ways in which the police can, and do, assist them to overcome their difficulties.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend 726 for his sympathetic Answer, and while affirming my own experience that the police do their best in this matter, will my noble friend say, for Her Majesty's Government, and will your Lordships generally endorse the view, that any special help the police can give within the law would meet with our favour?
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, we all greatly appreciate all that my noble friend does for disabled people throughout the country. I believe that the reply I have already given to him is very much what he would like.