§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Department of the Environment continues to administer more than 195 car parks and declines to arrange for them to be run either commercially or by district councils.
§ Mr. CarterIn 1973, the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland became under statute the sole road authority in the Province; this involved assuming responsibility for the majority of public car parks in the interests of efficient traffic management. In Belfast a commercial company is responsible under contract from the Department for administering those car parks where charges are made. Certain other car parks are provided under tourist development legislation and are under the control of district councils.