HC Deb 24 January 1994 vol 236 c77W
14. Ms Jowell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the London night-time and weekend lorry ban.

Mr. Norris

The Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill was introduced in the House last Wednesday. This contains proposals for the Secretary of State to take powers to vary traffic orders imposing permit-based restrictions on heavy lorries in London where an undue burden is imposed on business. The London night-time and weekend ban is such a restriction and the Government will be consulting shortly on proposals to amend the ban. It is not our intention to abolish the ban, contrary to some newspaper reports. However, we do intend to dispense with the bureaucratic permit system.