Baroness Darcy (de Knayth)asked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) Whether they will confirm that it is at present illegal (under Section 105 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) to wheel-clamp orange-badge holders in places where clamping is currently permitted; (b) whether wheel clamping orange badge holders will continue to be illegal in any places where clamping may be permitted in the future; and (c) what steps they will take to see that clamping agencies know that vehicles displaying orange badges must not be clamped.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)Vehicles displaying a current disabled person's badge are statutorily exempt from wheel-clamping on the public highway where wheel-clamping for parking offences is authorised. This safeguard will apply in any on-street areas to which wheel-clamping is extended in future. Operational guidelines issued to police officers who authorise wheel-clamping already draw specific attention to the provision that vehicles displaying a current disabled badge must not be clamped. Similar guidance will be considered in the context of advice to London authorities on the operation of their clamping powers under the Road Traffic Bill.