§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the 37W Government have to introduce charges for the use of cars within inner London. [20557]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonBoth our national transport consultation document "Developing an Integrated Transport Policy" and the London governance Green Paper "New Leadership for London", raised the issue of using the price mechanism to influence travel choice, including the possibility of charging for road use.
We are looking with an open mind at the advantages and disadvantages of the full range of options for influencing travel choice, and considering the potential economic and social impact of new policies. However, no decisions have yet been taken about what either the London Governance White Paper (due to be published in March) or the Integrated Transport White Paper (which will follow later in the Spring) will say on this issue. Any new compulsory charging regimes would require primary legislation before they could be implemented.