§ 103. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that on 22nd November, 1957, at about 12 noon Dr. B. Rogol was urgently called to visit the National Heart Hospital in Westmoreland Street and having tried without success to park his car for a considerable time, found a space in New Cavendish Street without realising that it was too close to a pedestrian crossing to leave the car, and that when he came out of the hospital 10 minutes later for further urgent visits he found his car had been driven away by the police, even though they knew it was a doctor's car; and if he will issue instructions to the police not to take away doctors' cars in such circumstances.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI am aware of the incident mentioned by my hon. Friend, but as there is a possibility of court proceedings I cannot comment upon it. As regards the general question, while the difficulties experienced by doctors in finding parking space in central London are appreciated and the police give all the help they can, they must be free to remove a doctor's car in an appropriate, case when the owner cannot be traced It would obviate the need for removal in most cases if doctors having to park in a busy area were to adopt the practice recommended by the Commissioner of Police of leaving a note on the windscreen giving the owner's name and the place where he can be found.