HC Deb 17 March 1835 vol 26 cc1118-20
Mr. Alderman Wood

moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the better regulation of cabriolets and other hackney carriages, or of omnibuses and other stage carriages for short distances, used in and near the metropolis, and of the drivers and attendants thereof.

Colonel Sibthorpe

supported the Motion. The misconduct and ill-manners of omnibus cads and cab drivers was grown to an extraordinary height as he knew from personal experience, and if it were not checked would be quite unbearable.

Mr. Roebuck

defended the drivers, and declared that he had seen no want of civility or attention on their part, and that, in his opinion, they were a very useful class of men. He protested against legislating to the annoyance and injury of the poor, when the nuisances created by the throngs of carriages of the rich were passed by unnoticed.

Mr. Alderman Thompson

observed, that a great depression of trade had taken place all along the line from Charing-cross to the Bank in consequence of these vehicles and the conduct of their drivers. He did not wish to see them suppressed, but only to have the drivers placed under some effectual control.

Dr. Bowring

hoped that the valuable time of the House would not be occupied with such frivolous legislation as the present—that it would not turn its attention from more important affairs to matters which the city Magistrates could take care of. If such matters as the present were made subjects of legislation, he agreed with the hon. Member for Bath, that the poor would have just cause to complain of an interference with their comforts, while those of the rich were left undisturbed.

Sir Thomas Fremantle

thought the subject was one which called for the interference of Parliament. Deputations of traders and others had waited on the Secretary of the Home Department, complaining of annoyance and the interruption of their business by the stopping of those cabs and omnibusses before their doors. He would support the Motion, and he hoped the Bill would attain its object.

Sir John Wrottesley

thought that there was as much danger to the public from the driving of the cabriolets and carriages of the rich as from that of cabs and omnibusses.

Mr. Warburton

said, that the obstructions caused by the carriages of ladies and gentlemen before the doors of the leading shopkeepers were as great nuisances as any caused by the vehicles which plied for hire. He hoped the House would look with jealousy on such measures as the present.

Mr. Clay

said, it was not in the power of the police to regulate these matters. He would admit that there was in that House too great a disposition to legislate in matters which interfered with the comforts of the poor, but he did not think the present was one of that description.

Mr. William Gladstone

thought, that it would be well to adopt similar regulations to those of the police of Paris with respect to those conveyances. Instead of deserving the name of petty legislation, he thought the present was called for, and he hoped the hon. Alderman would persevere, and not be deterred from urging the measure by any remarks that had been made.

Mr. Alderman Wood,

in reply, said, that those who knew him would admit that he was one who had always sympathized with the poor, and would not interfere with their comforts or conveniences. It was said, that the City of London should interfere. The object of his Bill was, to give to the Magistrates of London, and of the metropolis, the power of so doing effectually. The City laid out 4,000l. a-year in efforts to keep the streets clear and prevent nuisances. All he wished was the power to regulate these matters, and not to interfere with the comforts or conveniences of the poor.

Leave was given to bring in the Bill.