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Private Car Parks
02 June 2020
Lead MP
Caroline Nokes
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxation
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Caroline Nokes raised concerns about private car parks in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Caroline Nokes highlighted the case of her constituent, Mr Guy Hindle, who was bullied by a succession of organisations over a period of some 20 months for a six-minute parking violation. She argued that this is indicative of sharp practices in private parking services and drew attention to the need for better regulation and protection for drivers. Nokes emphasised the importance of a single code of practice for private parking, as well as the introduction of a mandatory 10-minute grace period for all private car parks, which would allow drivers to make informed choices about where they wish to park.
Jim Shannon
Alliance
Strangford
Jim Shannon congratulated Nokes on bringing this issue forward and highlighted the need for private car parks to show flexibility during challenging times, such as removing charges and delaying enforcement of contraventions.
Government Response
Minister Simon Clarke thanked Caroline Nokes for raising the issue and acknowledged the cross-party support for regulating the private parking industry. He outlined steps taken by the Government, including the creation of an independent code of practice for private parking companies and a one-stop shop for parking appeals under the Parking (Code Of Practice) Act 2019. Clarke assured that work with the British Standards Institution had commenced to develop the draft code, which would be subject to public consultation before finalization this year. He also addressed issues such as debt collection practices and unfair ticketing from automatic number plate recognition technology. Clarke emphasised the Government's commitment to progress at pace while ensuring regulations were robust, and he thanked Nokes for her persistence in addressing this issue.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.