§ 19. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the nuisance caused in the streets of London at night by persons whistling for taxi-cabs; and whether, in view of the large numbers of wounded soldiers now in London and of the loss of rest and the suffering caused to them by this nuisance, he will take steps to abolish these noises at any rate in the neighbourhood of hospitals, and, if necessary, introduce legislation for this purpose?
Mr. SAMUELThe comfort of the large numbers of wounded soldiers now in hospitals in London has the first claim to consideration; and I am disposed to think that members of the public would prefer 1633 to submit to the inconvenience of not being able to whistle for cabs when they need them themselves than continue to endure the nuisance of hearing the whistling when other people need them. The diminution of the number of cabs available has greatly increased this nuisance, while the development of the telephone has done much to provide a satisfactory alternative. I am informed by the Postmaster-General that telephones are now installed at forty-seven shelters in London, and a telephone device which I was able, when I held that office, to provide for cab ranks where there are no shelters, has now been extended to forty-five cab ranks. There are also 244 cab offices with telephones. I have consulted with the Commissioner of Police, and I am now proposing a Regulation which will enable me to prohibit the use of cab whistles during the hours of the night, probably from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., in a certain specified area or areas in the Metropolis. I hope it may be possible to bring the Regulation into effect on Monday next.
Sir H. DALZIELCan my right hon. Friend say why this proposal has been so long delayed. Why was it not taken a year ago?
§ Mr. BUTCHERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if care will be taken to see that the areas will be included in which wounded soldiers are likely to be living at night.
§ Commander BELLAIRSCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me why last January his Department told me on the floor of this House that special legislation would be required in regard to cab whistles and now we are told that it can be done by a police regulation?
Mr. SAMUELI should have to refer to the Question Paper and to the answers before I could have the privilege of replying.