Parking and Traffic Offences

Lord Faulkner of Worcester Excerpts

Wednesday 6th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Faulkner of Worcester]

My Lords, nobody would wish to catch the Minister out, but I am sure that he is aware of the statement made by his noble friend, who is sitting next to him, the noble Lord, Lord Howell of Guildford, on 28 June this year, which said that the outstanding fines incurred by the diplomatic missions in London in respect of the London congestion charge had reached £36 million by January this year, with the United States, Russia and Japan being by far the worst offenders. Can he give an assurance that it is the view of the present Government, as it was of their predecessor, that the congestion charge should be paid by diplomatic missions in London?

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, unfortunately, this is a Question about parking charges, not the congestion charge.

--- Later in debate ---

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, unfortunately I will have to write to the noble Lord.

[Lord Faulkner of Worcester]

My Lords, the answer is in his noble friend’s Answer of 28 June: Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates.