§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he possesses and for what date of the approximate percentage of private car drivers entering or leaving central London each day during(a) weekday peak periods, (b) weekday non-peak periods, (c) at weekends and (d) any other period whose movement costs are not wholly met from their taxable income.
§ Mr. McLoughlinA survey in April 1989 found that 48 per cent. of cars entering central London on a weekday during the morning peak—7 to 10 am—were privately owned and 52 per cent. were paid for, owned or leased by an employer or company. The corresponding proportions during the off-peak—10 am to 1 pm—were 52 and 48 per cent. respectively.
About three quarters of the privately owned cars in the peak period, and two thirds in the off peak, received some form of travel assistance from their employer or company for the journey being undertaken. Travel assistance could take the form of tax relief—for the self-employed—provision of parking, mileage allowance or payment for parking charges or fuel.
More detailed information is available in TRRL research report 326, "Company Travel Assistance in the London area" and I shall arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.
632WInformation for other times of the day and at weekends is not available.