§ Mr. RapsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the outcome was of his consultation on road user charging and the workplace parking levy. [111713]
§ Mr. HillOur consultation paper "Breaking the Logjam, the Government's consultation paper on fighting traffic congestion and pollution through road user and workplace parking charges" was published on 8 December 1998. It confirmed our intention to legislate on road user charging and on the workplace parking levy and invited comments by 31 March last year on a wide range on mainly practical issues.
Some 8,000 copies of "Breaking the Logjam" were distributed, and we received 665 responses. 75 per cent. of the responses which gave an opinion supported or accepted the need for the new charges. The Transport Bill currently before Parliament implements these policies.
Following our consultation, we are proposing an exemption or concession from the workplace parking levy for National Health Service hospitals.
We have today published a report analysing the responses we received, and placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses and in the Vote Office. We are grateful to everyone who responded.