§ 34. Major NEWMANasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the inconvenience to the public caused by 2,500 cabs not plying for hire; whether, 556 when he made his recent decision to allow an increase in the initial fare, he had reason to believe that the result would be a strike of taxi-cab drivers; and what steps he is prepared to take to terminate the trouble, in the interests of the public, as soon as possible?
§ Sir G. CAVEI am aware that the taxicab drivers refuse to hire cabs except on the terms of obtaining free petrol, which some of the owners decline to give, and that in consequence a number of taxi-cabs are not in use, but the number of such cabs is far below 2,500. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As to the third part, I have no authority to intervene in this dispute, unless requested by both parties to do so. I may add that I understand that in the case of those taxi-cabs which are plying for hire the new arrangement is working smoothly, and no complaint has been received either from the drivers or from the public.
§ Major NEWMANIs it not a fact that the cabs which are plying for hire are cabs which are owned by the drivers themselves?
§ Sir G. CAVENot all of them, I think.