§ 59. Mr. S. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the difficulty of ex-Service men, who have lost one or more limbs, in finding parking places for the cars which are essential for them to get to their places of employment, and of the fact that the badges issued by some authorities only give traffic wardens discretionary powers; and if he will seek power to ensure that car discs for free parking are issued to all disabled men throughout the country.
§ Mr. MarplesWhen I take account of the needs of other road users, I am forced to the conclusion that it would not be practical to give all disabled drivers statutory freedom to park anywhere without restriction. But I recognise their special difficulties. Because of them, I authorise local authorities operating parking meter schemes to grant exemption to severely disabled drivers from meter charges and time-limits in their zones. Moreover, the police everywhere exercise discretion as much as they can in favour of disabled drivers displaying discs issued by local authorities under the scheme sponsored by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.