§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to regulate charges for those vehicle towing services formerly provided by the police. [3655]
§ Mr. MacleanThere are no plans to set specific charges for vehicle recovery by garage operators who carry out this function under contract schemes which are run by managing agents on behalf of certain police forces.
A statutory charge for the removal of vehicles, currently £105, is prescribed under the Removal, Storage and Disposal of Vehicles (Prescribed Sums and Charges etc.,) (Amendment) Regulations 1993. The police are entitled to charge this sum for the removal of any vehicle which is parked in breach of local traffic regulation orders, or which is causing an obstruction or danger, or which is broken down or abandoned without lawful authority.