HL Deb 22 February 1982 vol 427 cc819-20WA
Lord Broadbridge

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they agree that:

  1. (a) relations between police and public would be greatly improved if the police no longer had to deal with minor traffic offences (for example, illegal parking);
  2. (b) these responsibilities, including those of traffic wardens, should be devolved specifically to either central Government (for example, Department of Transport) or local authorities;
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  3. (c) ultimate responsibility for all traffic offences should be devolved to a separate executive.

Lord Belstead

These proposals have a number of practical and legal disadvantages and on the whole would not be advantageous to the police or to the criminal justice system generally.