HC Deb 08 December 1986 vol 107 cc76-7W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will report on the new arrangements for wheel clamping vehicles within central London.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

As from 1 December the Metropolitan police has employed private contractors to carry out the physical work of fixing wheel clamps to illegally parked vehicles. Each wheel clamping is authorised by a police constable. The area of the wheel clamping operation has remained the same but the number of wheel clamping teams operating has increased. The Metropolitan police expect the number of wheel clampings to rise from the previous 30,000 to 40,000 a year to around 100,000 a year.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy towards diplomatic vehicles D and X registered which are illegally parked; and in what circumstances a diplomat's car would be impounded or wheel clamped.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Illegal parking, whether by diplomats or others, is unacceptable. Procedures were introduced by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in May 1985 to deal with cases in which a large number of unpaid parking fixed penalties were incurred by a diplomat, and as a result the number of unpaid fixed penalties is now less than a quarter of their 1984 level. Vehicles bearing a D plate are not wheel clamped but are removed if they cause obstruction or danger. We expect removal fees to be paid in such cases. Vehicles bearing X plates, which do not denote an entitlement to full immunity, are wheel clamped or removed in the same way as any other vehicle.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many wheel clamped vehicles have never been reclaimed by their registered owners since the wheel clamping order came into effect; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Wheel clamping in central London commenced on 16 May 1983. The table shows the total number of wheel clamped vehicles which have not subsequently been reclaimed by their registered keeper or other authorised person in each year since wheel clamping began.

Year Unclaimed vehicles
1983 (from 16 May 1983) 74
1984 741
1985 457
1986 (up to 2 December 1986) 304