Palace of Westminster: Parking

Mr. Harper
To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission (1) if the Commission will consider introducing a scheme to enable hon. Members to book disabled parking bays for their guests;

(2) what enforcement procedures are in place to ensure that parking bays designated for people with disabilities in the Palace of Westminster are used by blue badge holders only;

(3) what recent assessment the Commission has made of the adequacy of parking arrangements for disabled visitors to the Palace of Westminster.

Nick Harvey
Parking spaces for Members and staff with disabilities or mobility problems are provided in Star Chamber Court. If space is available and advance notice is given, the Serjeant at Arms office will endeavour to accommodate Members’ guests although this cannot be guaranteed. Priority is given to Blue Badge holders driving the vehicle. Able-bodied drivers are normally given permission to drop off a passenger and park elsewhere. Occasionally it is possible to arrange for parking in the House of Lords for such visitors.

Permission to park in designated bays is occasionally given to Members or staff who have temporary disabilities such as a broken limb or following major surgery so the bays are not limited to Blue Badge holders only.

The provision of parking facilities for people with disabilities is kept under review and the Serjeant at Arms office records details of permissions given to ensure that the limited spaces are not overbooked.