§ MR. MACFARLANEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to the proposals made by a Committee presided over by the Lord Mayor having reference to the extension of the present cab radius; if he will take into his consideration the question of its enlargement; and, if he would be prepared to to adopt the plan of limiting the distance for which a cab can be hired for a sixpence a mile to five miles from the place of hiring, and that beyond that distance, whether within or without the Metropolitan limits, the fare shall be one shilling for each mile or part of a mile?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTSir, it is, no doubt, a very interesting matter; but the Report of the Committee presided over by the Lord Mayor is not yet before me. When it is, I shall be willing to consider it. But it should be remembered that there are two parties to be considered in this matter. We must consider the interests, not only of the public, but also of the cabmen, before we deal exhaustively with this matter, and the latter will have to be heard upon it.