HC Deb 12 March 1923 vol 161 cc1042-3
95. Mr. TILLETT

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the position of licensed cab-drivers and their exclusion from the operations of the Workmen's Compensation Act and other protective legislation, with a view to taking steps in the interest of the welfare of this class of workers.?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Bridgeman)

A cab-driver who works under a contract of service with the cab owner comes within the Workmen's Compensation Act in the same way as any other employé, and I understand that, except in London, cab-drivers do usually, if not invariably, work under a contract of service. In London, however, the driver hires his cab from the owner, and the Courts have held that he is not an employé for the purposes of the Act. The Departmental Committee on Workmen's Compensation recommended that the Act should be extended to cover the case of the London driver, and this recommendation will receive careful consideration.

Mr. SHORT

Is there any likelihood of legislation being introduced upon this subject?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Yes, Sir.