§ MR. HOPWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a case recently before Mr. Arnold, the police magistrate, wherein it appeared that though the hirer of a cab, in case of dispute, can by 16 and 17 Vic. c. 33, s. 18, require the driver to drive to the nearest police court, if sitting, when the complaint may be determined by the magistrate without summons, or if no police court be open, then to the nearest police station, where the complaint shall be entered and tried by the magistrate at his next sitting, yet that, if the hirer do not wish to go to a station, the driver cannot complain, nor the police detain him, though he refuse to pay any fare or give his name and address; and whether, if such be the state of the law, he will take it into his consideration with a view to amendment?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, he believed the hon. Member had stated the law of the case to which he referred correctly; but he had not informed the House that there were provisions which gave strong powers to the drivers of cabs to summon, and, if necessary, to issue a warrant, against any persons who had not paid their fares. Of course, it was a question whether the law as it stood was sufficient for the protection of drivers; but that was a point which should receive consideration.