§ Mr. Silkinasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a growing number of old and unwanted motor vehicles are being abandoned by their owners in the streets of Deptford and other London boroughs, and that the powers exercisable by the police are insufficient to curb the practice; and what measures he proposes to introduce to deal with the problem.
§ Mr. MarplesI am aware that more vehicles are being abandoned, as the number of vehicles grows, although I do not know the precise figure for any particular borough. The police have power to prosecute where obstruction or danger is caused; and both the police and the116W local authority have power to remove and dispose of abandoned vehicles, and to charge the owner for the removal and for the net cost of disposal, if any. I do not believe that the powers are insufficient: the difficulty arises in exercising them. I have been considering this question with the Minister of Housing and Local Government who hopes soon to issue advice to local authorities.