asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress is being made in extending the parking-meter scheme to other parts of the West End and the City of London.

An Order authorising St. Marylebone Borough Council to install parking meters in south-west St. Marylebone has been laid before Parliament, Westminster City Council has asked to extend its present metered zone to the whole of Mayfair, and Holborn Borough Council has asked for an order covering the north-western part of its borough. Other Metropolitan boroughs are known to have schemes under active consideration.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask whether he is aware that it is almost impossible for short-term parkers to find anywhere to park in Central London unless they get there before nine o'clock in the morning, except where there are parking meters? Will he do everything possible to encourage local authorities to bring forward schemes to provide off-street parking for the long-term parker?

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is becoming more and more obvious what a success the first initial, small parking-meter scheme has been. I will do anything I can within my proper constitutional power to help local authorities to bring these schemes forward.

Is it my right hon. Friend's intention to produce a profit-and-loss account for these meters in due course?

That is not a matter for my Ministry, because this income goes to the local authority and not to the Government.