§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether certain owners of cabs are endeavouring to obtain drivers' licences at Scotland Yard for new men without the 14 days' delay which are usual for inquiries to be made; and, if so, whether he would stop such proceedings; how many licences have been issued during the last seven days, and whether this number is above the weekly average; and whether, considering the pecuniary difficulties of the men who are now out of work, he is willing during the month of June to order that 21 days' grace should be given in the renewal of their licences to drivers against whom no complaint has been made?
§ MR. ASQUITHI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that certain owners have recently applied for the issue of drivers' licences without the usual in- 177 quiries being made, but this has in all cases been refused. During the seven days ended 31st ultimo, 336 hackney drivers' licences have been issued. During the corresponding week of last year 307 hackney drivers' licences were issued. The weekly average since January 1st last is 321. With regard to the last paragraph of my hon. Friend's question, in the opinion of the Commissioner au order of this sort would not be consistent with the attitude of strict impartiality which is invariably adopted by him in all cases of dispute between employers and employed.