§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many car parks DOE (NI) controls within Belfast's city limits; and how many parking places are provided at these car parks.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is responsible for 38 car parks containing a total of 3,770 parking places within Belfast city limits.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will instal telephones in the office at each attended car park to ensure that attendants can quickly obtain assistance when cars are being interfered with.
§ Mr. NeedhamTelephones are installed selectively at car parks where the greatest incidence of thefts of vehicles has occurred. There are no plans to instal telephones at all car parks.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what relative priority is given by his Department to(a) raising additional revenue from car parks and (b) providing safe controlled parking.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Department of the Environment's main priority is to contribute to traffic management through the provision of orderly and controlled car parking facilities rather than raising additional revenue. The Department does not accept responsibility for the problem of parked vehicles.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to protect the interests of those who require all-day parking in Belfast arising from business operations in the city.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Department of the Environment does not accept responsibility for the protection of parked vehicles. The Department nevertheless takes selective measures to safeguard car parks under its control.