HL Deb 17 May 1972 vol 330 cc1377-8

2.45 p.m.

LORD SEGAL

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have noted the congestion caused by the stationing of large numbers of motor coaches in the vicinity of certain buildings of historic interest in London; and why they do not construct underground parking spaces to accommodate them.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

The problem of coaches in London is primarily a matter for the G.L.C. as traffic authority, and the city and borough councils who have responsibilities for car parking. My right honourable friend has indeed noted this problem arid will give full consideration to any proposal that may come to him after consideration by the local authorities.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether, as an underground car park is to be built beneath the new Parliament building, it would not be possible to build a similar car park beneath Parliament Square; and since an underground car park already exists beneath Hyde Park could not one be considered also beneath Green Park to relieve the congestion all the way up Constitutional Hill?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, the Government have already allowed considerable latitude. They have given permission for over 110 coaches every day to park in the Royal parks. I would use the analogy of a balloon which is filled at some time and emptied at some time. If you fill it in the early morning and empty it at lunchtime you may defeat the object of the noble Lord's Question.

LORD DAVIES of LEEK

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that if the Government want to improve the "social furniture" for buses visiting London, it would he a good thing to purchase Centre Point, to raze that monstrosity to the ground and to build a beautiful bus station with trees in its place—instead of waiting for people to make money out of nothing?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, people come to London to see the beauty spots. If we introduce too many bus parking places all they will see will be buses.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, will the Government give an assurance that in no circumstances will any underground car parks be constructed under the gardens of the London squares?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I should not like to be categorical, but I do not think that we have much intention at the moment of doing anything in that direction and are not aware of any permission sought by the local authorities.