§ 70. Sir PARK GOFFasked the Home Secretary if he can state whether a taxi-cab driver plying the streets for hire with his flag up is entitled to demand from a member of the public the destination before accepting the hiring; whether, on arrival at the destination, he is entitled to demand his discharge; and whether, for the public information, he can see his way to publish a full statement of a licensed driver's obligations towards the public and the remedies to be taken by the public for a breach thereof?
§ Mr. SHORTTAs the driver cannot be compelled to drive for more than six miles, he is entitled to inquire the destination; but if the destination being within that limit, he attempts to bargain, the passenger has his legal remedy. On arrival at the destination, if the contract is fulfilled, the driver can claim his discharge. A full statement is contained in the "Abstract of Laws Relating to Proprietors, Drivers, and Conductors of Public Carriages," which is on sale to the public, but the subject is so complicated that it would be difficult to compress it within smaller limits. If any member of the public who is aggrieved communicates with the Commissioner's office, every assistance is given him to assert his rights.
§ Sir P. GOFFMay I respectfully ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will see his way to give instructions to the Chief Commissioner of Police to see that the terms of the licences granted to drivers are in future carried out?
§ Mr. SHORTTThey are carried out now.