§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to what information he has of private sector firms offering to assist owners of clamped vehicles improperly removing warning labels and other notices from cars clamped by the Metropolitan police and substituting advertising matter; and what action is being taken against such firms.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI understand that the commissioner is aware of at least one company offering a facility by which the statutory fee for the removal of wheelclamps is paid at one of the central London payment centres on behalf of the drivers. The driver is required to provide the money for the fee in addition to an annual subscription charge.
The commissioner is also aware of isolated incidents involving the unlawful removal of warning notices from clamped vehicles. Appropriate action will be taken where sufficient evidence is available.