HL Deb 02 December 1987 vol 490 cc1053-4

2.50 p.m.

Lord Campbell of Croy

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have powers to require enforcement of the correct use of the spaces reserved for disabled drivers to park at the terminal buildings of airports.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, parking at airports is the responsibility of the airport authority concerned. The Government have no powers to require enforcement of reserved spaces for disabled drivers. This would be for the airport authority or the police to arrange.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that reply, which confirms my conclusions. These clearly marked spaces are often completely filled by cars not bearing disabled persons' badges. Should not the police be directed to pursue or charge the offending driver as they would on the streets? Personally, I have never seen a policeman in any airport terminal car park.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I agree entirely that able bodied drivers should not park in spaces reserved for disabled drivers. But spaces at airports are not backed by order; basically they are advisory only. This is a matter for the relevant airport authority and the Government have no power to intervene.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, is this not a matter which can be covered by the by-laws of the particular airport under the powers given to it, if the Secretary of State has so designated that it should have by-laws? Can the noble Viscount say whether the Civil Aviation Authority has any authority whatever to see that the by-laws are properly enforced? Would not this be a useful matter for the Airports Consumers' Committee to consider in view of its previous interest in matters involving the disabled?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I know that the Airports Consumers' Committee is looking at this matter at the moment. The Government have no power to oblige airport authorities over any matter and the management of the airport must deal with the situation. The orange badge scheme itself is currently under review and no doubt my noble friend will take into account the concern expressed by noble Lords.

Lord Nugent of Guildford

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that I parked my car by mistake in the staff car park at an airport and it was very quickly wheel-clamped? There is no doubt, therefore, that there is the necessary authority to take action. Will be therefore press the airport authorities to take action in a similar way regarding the point raised by my noble friend?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend. I know that the airport authorities are taking action as far as they can. I am sure the relevant airport authorities will read the exchange today and it will have some positive effect.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that the present system is unfair to car park attendants many of whom are of ethnic origin and who do their best? They are now simply being ignored by able bodied drivers. This nullifies the system for which I was partly responsible in the role that I played in 1981 during the International Year for Disabled People.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am sure that the airport authorities will take note of what the noble Lord says.