PRACTICES OF PRIVATE PARKING OPERATORS

That this House is increasingly concerned about the practices of private parking operators, such as Smart Parking, in our cities and towns; denounces the use of disproportionate fines, sometimes hundreds of pounds for a stay only extended by minutes, and the subsequent harassment of users by threatening the use of debt collection agencies; is deeply concerned about the refusal of companies, such as Smart Parking, to engage with hon. Members on their practices; and calls on the Government to introduce legislation to bring these companies under statutory regulation, accountable to the communities they serve.