Debates between Earl of Courtown and Lord Christopher during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Diplomatic Missions: Parking Fines

Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Christopher
Wednesday 21st October 2015

(9 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
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Earl of Courtown Portrait The Earl of Courtown
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I do not know. I am sorry, my Lords.

Lord Christopher Portrait Lord Christopher (Lab)
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If one should have the good fortune to earn a little money in America, you will find that you cannot escape from America until you have paid the tax. All we need to do, if I may suggest it, is to revise the names of these charges and call them a tax and the American ambassador could not leave until the tax was paid.

Earl of Courtown Portrait The Earl of Courtown
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My Lords, as I said in my earlier Answer, we are in continual negotiation with the various missions, reminding them of their duty when they come to this country to obey the law and pay their parking fines and the congestion charge. Officials from the Department for Transport and Transport for London continue to press non-paying diplomatic missions to pay the congestion charge, and work to identify a solution to the legal impasse with non-paying missions.