HC Deb 01 March 1915 vol 70 cc550-1
57. Mr. CHANCELLOR

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the number of vacancies due to enlistment which some large companies are willing to fill with women, he will authorise their being licensed as drivers of public vehicles, seeing that many women are already licensed to drive private vehicles and have proved their capacity as skilled chauffeurs?

Mr. McKENNA

I am anxious that the services of women should be utilised in every possible way to set men free to fight for their country in this crisis, but I doubt if the public would have confidence in women drivers of taxicabs and motor omnibuses. Moreover, I learn from the Commissioner of Police, that, though a large number of drivers are now on service, the number of licensed drivers is still considerably in excess of the number of licensed vehicles.