§ Norman BakerTo ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what recent assessment has been made of the implications of introducing workplace charging for vehicles parked in the House car park. [167793]
§ Sir Archy KirkwoodThe House has never had a policy of charging for the use of the car park, which is provided for security reasons as well as for the convenience of Members and staff. There has therefore been no specific recent assessment of the implications of charging for use of the car park, bur. the Greater London Authority Act 1999 contains pro visions which would allow the authority or Westminster city council to introduce a licensing scheme for parking in the Palace of914W Westminster, under which they may levy a charge on the two Houses. The Commission will consider the matter if and when either authority makes proposals for a licensing scheme.