§ Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about the possibility of legislation in respect of owner liability for parking offences.
§ Mr. R. CarrYes. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Scotland and I consider that enforcement procedures should be strengthened in order to deal with the serious disregard of the fixed penalty system36W for parking offences. This problem is largely due to difficulties in identifying drivers who deliberately attempt to evade payment of fixed penalties. We therefore intend to introduce as soon as possible legislation to secure that, if the fixed penalty is not paid within a reasonable time, liability shall attach to the person in whose name the vehicle is registered. This provision would cover stationary lighting offences and the offence of failing to display a valid excise licence, as well as parking offences. We shall shortly be consulting the interests primarily concerned about these proposals.