Diplomatic Missions: Parking Fines

Debate between Lord Christopher and Earl of Courtown

Wednesday 21st October 2015 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown]

I do not know. I am sorry, my Lords.

[Lord Christopher (Lab)]

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.

[The Earl of Courtown]

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.