§ 69. Sir FRANK MEYERasked the Minister of Transport, whether he is aware that a number of taxi-cabs plying for hire in the Metropolitan area are below the standard of efficiency and comfort which the public have a right to expect; and whether he is prepared to take steps to ensure that such vehicles be either brought up to a proper standard or taken off the streets?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)I have been asked to reply. A practical test was instituted 18 months ago. It is made annually or at such other times as thought requisite if the efficiency of the engine is open to doubt; and I think the conditions both as to efficiency and comfort are improving.
§ Sir F. MEYERIf I bring to the right hon. Gentleman's attention specific cases of cabs which are not reaching the required standard of comfort, will he have those cases inquired into?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a fact that no city enjoys a better taxi-cab service than does London?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think that that is right. Of course, if a very special complaint were brought before me I would inquire about it, but I would point out that many of the cabs complained of are cabs owned by ex-service men who have invested all their money in them, and I like to be as lenient as I can in such cases.
Mr. GOODMAN ROBERTSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the slow moving taxi-cabs impede traffic considerably by crawling along beside the pavement to pick up passengers?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe question of crawling cabs is a different question.