HC Deb 23 December 1915 vol 77 cc617-8
13. Sir C. HENRY

asked the Home Secretary if he will give instructions to the police authorities that, when it is ascertained that taxi-cabs that have been running for twelve months are in good condition, a further period of three months may be allowed before they have to be overhauled and relicenced, owing to the impossibility of the companies obtaining an adequate supply of labour to enable them to carry out the overhauling?

Sir J. SIMON

The period for which a taxi-cab is licenced is fixed by Statute, and there is no power to extend it as suggested. Owing to the hard usage to which such vehicles are subjected, the licensing authority is unable, in the interests of public safety and otherwise, to relicence them without overhaul.