§ 8.50 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, the purpose of this Bill is very simple. It is to revive a power to enable local authorities to provide parking places in buildings that are also used for other purposes. This power was contained in Section 13(1) of the Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Act 1960, but a five-year time limit was imposed which expired on March 19, 1966. Without this power some local authorities were undoubtedly deterred from providing covered off-street parking space because they could not afford the cost of developing valuable sites solely as car parks. Such sites need comprehensive development. As I have said, this power is a very useful power, and the Government believe that it should be brought back into force. This is the purpose of the Bill. My Lords, I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Shepherd.)
§ LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORDMy Lords, may I thank the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd, for his succinct explanation of what the Road Traffic Bill is about? He did not press the point that for the last year he has proceeded without any powers in this matter. It must clearly be a matter of urgency that he should get this Bill as quickly as possible in order to make himself an honest man, and I shall therefore not delay the House longer except to say that I am very happy to support him in it.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I can assure the noble Lord, Lord Nugent of Guildford, that I do not need an Act of Parliament to make me an honest man. As I understand it, no local authority is in any position of peril because this particular power has lapsed, but I am glad the noble Lord is going to help Her Majesty's Government put this Bill very quickly on the Statute Book.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.